View clinical trials related to Schizophrenia.
Filter by:The 2020 NIMH Strategic Plan for Research calls for investigations targeting neurobiology of mental illness across the lifespan. Growing evidence suggests that lifespan neurobiology of schizophrenia (SZ) incorporates two distinct dimensions: aging and disease course. However, their clinical correlates, associated biomarker trajectories, and implications for treatment are unknown. This study will investigate differential aspects of SZ neurobiology captured by aging and disease course, in order to develop specific biomarkers which may offer actionable targets for SZ stage-dependent intervention. The study is predicated on a novel mechanistic Model of SZ Trajectories across the Adult Lifespan, positing distinct biological fingerprints within the anterior limbic system for aging and disease course in SZ: (1) alterations in the circuit's function and structure that occur earlier in the lifespan and are larger in magnitude than the alterations expected with normal aging (accelerated aging dimension); and (2) regionally-specific anterior limbic "hyperactivity" in early SZ, with a subsequent transformation into "hypoactivity" in advanced SZ (disease course dimension). In a sample of SZ and matched healthy controls (n=168, 84/group) aged 18-75 years the investigators will ascertain a broad panel of biomarkers [via multimodal brain imaging: optimized 1H-MRS, high-resolution task-based fMRI, perfusion (Vascular Space Occupancy) and structural MRI], along with comprehensive cognitive and clinical assessments. All measures will be acquired at baseline and repeated at 2-year longitudinal follow-up. Using cutting-edge computational approaches, the study will examine (i) effects of aging and SZ course on anterior limbic system biomarkers; (ii) lifespan trajectories for different biomarkers; (iii) patterns of limbic system biomarkers in age- and SZ course-based subgroups (e.g., Younger vs. Older, Early-Course vs. Advanced SZ), as well as in data-driven subgroups (e.g., those with vs. without accelerated aging profiles); and (iv) associations between biomarkers and cognitive and clinical outcomes. This research will advance the field by providing novel biomarkers that capture unique neurobiological contributions of aging and disease course in SZ, and will motivate future studies on SZ mechanisms across the lifespan and development of precision treatments.
The validation of biomarkers allowing the discrimination of cognitive and behavioral disorders of psychiatric origin from those of neurodegenerative origin would facilitate diagnosis and improve patient management. Neurofilaments, which are markers of neuronal lysis, appear to be a promising biomarker. In a previous preliminary study, the investigators demonstrated significantly lower concentrations of neurofilaments in CSF of psychiatric patients compared to neurodegenerative diseases. The main objective of this study is to validate the plasma assay of neurofilament light chain as a biomarker for the differential diagnosis of psychiatric or neurodegenerative cognitive impairment. Other biomarkers of interest (Tau, TDP-43, GFAP and UCH-L1) will also be analyzed. A sub-part of this study will also focus on the retrospective analysis of the CSF/Plasma correlations of the different biomarkers mentioned above from tube bottom samples taken in routine care.
The proposed research will test the hypothesis that objective social isolation and loneliness are linked to neurobehavioral mechanisms involved in social perception and motivation in individuals with and without serious mental illness. Moreover, it will investigate the specific dynamic interactions among these experiences in daily life and how they, and their neurobehavioral predictors, are linked to day-to-day functioning. The findings of this project could provide novel targets for therapeutics aimed at improving functioning and overall quality of life in individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as quantitative phenotypes for use in early detection efforts.
The purpose of this project is to investigate whether a 3-week training program involving music beat (serving as a type of rhythmic auditory stimulation) reduces the severity of bradykinesia and dyskinesia in at-risk individuals and schizophrenia patients. It is hypothesized that the program is effective in reducing the severity of bradykinesia and dyskinesia in at-risk individuals and schizophrenia patients.
Bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia and depression can feature cognitive impairment, especially in social cognition (SC). According to previous studies, some genes from the oxytocin and dopamine pathways may be involved SC performance. Our endophenotype approach aimed to demonstrate that SC deficits are more severe in schizophrenia and BD or depression with psychotic symptoms (PBP) and are associated with certain Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) variants. 600 patients with schizophrenia, BD ou depression with and without psychotic symptoms will be recrited. Social Cognition was assessed using 4 paradigms: Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), Empathy Quotient (QE), and a modified Delay Discounting task. After DNA extraction from blood or saliva sample, we used PCR amplification and real-time detection to genotype SNPs from Oxytocin pathways. he level of ocytocine will be also mesured.
Previous studies found that some NMDA-enhancing agents were able to improve clinical symptoms of patients with chronic schizophrenia. In addition, several drugs with anti-inflammatory properties have been tested in clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia too. Whether combined treatment of an NMDA-enhancing agent and a drug with anti-inflammatory property can be better than an NMDA-enhancing agent alone deserves study.
The OPUS YOUNG (OY) study investigates the efficacy of early intervention service versus treatment as usual (TAU) for adolescents aged 12-17 years with a first-episode psychosis. In Denmark, the yearly incidence of schizophrenia in youth below the age of 18 years has increased from 137 in 2000 to 477 in 2016. Outcomes in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders are suboptimal with low quality of life, low rates of recovery, substance misuse, higher rates of suicide, violence and legal problems, low educational and vocational attainment, and a significantly reduced life-expectancy of 15-20 year. Schizophrenia imply a large burden of disease with severe impact on patients, their families, the service system and a large economic societal burden. The investigators will include 284 participants age 12-17 years with an early onset psychosis within the following diagnostic classes: schizophrenia spectrum, psychotic depression or drug-induced psychosis. The design is an independent, investigator initiated, pragmatic, randomized clinical trial, with blinded outcome assessment. Participants are randomized 1:1 to OY or TAU. Participants in OY are offered 2 years of specialized intervention (OY) regardless of age, while participants in TAU are switched to adult psychiatry at the age of 18 years. OY builds on the Danish evidenced based intervention for young adults, OPUS, adjusted to meet the specific needs of adolescents: intensified support for caretakers and relatives including siblings; social cognition and interaction treatment; and individual cognitive behavioral case management. OY addresses the specific challenges of psychopharmacologic treatment in youth; supported transition to adult care after OY; school or educational support; and prevention and treatment of substance misuse. The primary endpoint is improved functioning in daily and social life after 24 months. Secondary outcome measures are psychopathology, quality of life, family stress, and retention in treatment and school/employment, and healthcare consumption. The clinical and societal perspective of a large scale implementation is improved prevention of the negative consequences of early-onset psychosis and a reduced burden of severe mental illness.
Background: Cognitive dysfunction is the core defect of schizophrenia, which seriously affects the emotional, social functions and quality of life in people with schizophrenia. Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of group cognitive stimulation therapy in cognitive function, depressive symptoms, social function, and quality of life in people with Schizophrenia. Research method:This study used a single-blind randomized controlled trial design. Participants's Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) score between 10-25 points are include. Chronic rehabilitation wards were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the conventional treatment group using blocking. The experimental group (EG) (n = 45) is receive 7 weeks, twice a week, 60 minutes each time of group cognitive stimulation therapy(GCST), the control group (CG) (n = 45) maintain usual care. Expected results: GCST can improve cognitive function, depressive symptoms, social function and quality of life in people with schizophrenia.
Effectiveness of trauma therapy using prolonged exposure for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with comorbid psychotic disorder
To characterize the real-life clinical use of AOM in a hospitalized patient population with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or BP1 requiring LAI therapy and evaluate its short-term effectiveness associated with its clinical use in the proposed patient population, including time to discharge, efficacy, safety, tolerability, and patients' satisfaction.