Schizophrenia Clinical Trials

305 recruitingLast updated: June 17, 2026

There are 305 actively recruiting schizophrenia clinical trials across 44 countries. Studies span Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 4, Early Phase 1. Top locations include Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Chicago, Illinois, United States, Houston, Texas, United States. Updated daily from ClinicalTrials.gov.


Schizophrenia Trials at a Glance

305 actively recruiting trials for schizophrenia are listed on ClinicalTrialsFinder across 6 cities in 44 countries. The largest study group is Not Applicable with 165 trials, with the heaviest enrollment activity in Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston. Lead sponsors running schizophrenia studies include Shanghai Mental Health Center, China Medical University Hospital, and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Browse schizophrenia trials by phase

Treatments under study

Understanding Schizophrenia Clinical Trials

Every antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia today, from first-generation drugs like chlorpromazine to newer options like cariprazine (Vraylar) and lumateperone (Caplyta), was developed through clinical trials. In 2024, the FDA approved cobenfy (xanomeline-trospium), the first truly novel mechanism for schizophrenia treatment in decades, targeting muscarinic receptors rather than dopamine, a breakthrough that only became possible through years of clinical trial research. For the approximately 2.8 million adults in the United States living with schizophrenia, ongoing trials are exploring treatments that aim to address not just psychotic symptoms but also the cognitive and social difficulties that current medications often leave untreated.

Why Consider a Clinical Trial?

Current antipsychotic medications primarily target the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, but many people continue to struggle with negative symptoms like social withdrawal, flat affect, and lack of motivation, as well as cognitive difficulties affecting memory, attention, and decision-making. These unaddressed symptoms are often the biggest barriers to living independently and maintaining employment. Clinical trials are testing treatments specifically designed to target these gaps, including cognitive enhancers, glutamate-modulating drugs, and novel anti-inflammatory approaches. Many people with schizophrenia also experience significant side effects from current medications, including weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and movement disorders. Newer agents being studied in clinical trials aim to provide symptom control with a more favorable side effect profile. Participating in a trial also means receiving care from a specialized research team with deep expertise in schizophrenia, often at major academic medical centers, with consistent and thorough monitoring throughout the study period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Schizophrenia clinical trials

Yes, many trials allow participants to continue their current medication. Some studies test add-on treatments that supplement your existing antipsychotic, while others may require a supervised medication change. The research team will explain exactly what is required and will not make any changes without your consent.

Yes, cognitive impairment is a major focus of current schizophrenia research. Trials are testing pro-cognitive medications, computerized cognitive training programs, and combination approaches. These studies typically measure improvements in memory, attention, and problem-solving using standardized neuropsychological tests.

All schizophrenia trials have safety protocols for symptom worsening. If your symptoms significantly worsen, the research team can provide rescue medication, adjust your treatment, or withdraw you from the study with a safe transition plan back to standard care. Your wellbeing always takes priority over the research protocol.

Most schizophrenia trials welcome caregiver involvement. Family members can attend study visits, help with transportation, and assist with medication adherence. Some studies specifically include caregiver assessments as part of the outcome measures. The research team will work with you and your support network.

Most schizophrenia trials are conducted on an outpatient basis, meaning you attend scheduled visits at the research site but live at home. Some acute-phase trials may begin with a brief inpatient stabilization period. The study design will be clearly explained before you consent to participate.

Showing 120 of 305 trials

Recruiting
Phase 4

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Valbenazine in Adult Participants With Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Who Remain Symptomatic While Receiving or After Stopping a Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 (VMAT2) Inhibitor

SchizophreniaMajor Depressive DisorderBipolar Disorder+2 more
Neurocrine Biosciences50 enrolled22 locationsNCT07105111
Recruiting
Phase 2

Neurotransmitters in Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia Patients With add-on Sodium Benzoate

SchizophreniaSchizo Affective DisorderSymptom, Cognitive
National Cheng-Kung University Hospital90 enrolled1 locationNCT06340789
Recruiting
Phase 1

A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and PK of an Injectable Form of KarXT

Schizophrenia
Bristol-Myers Squibb116 enrolled8 locationsNCT07061288
Recruiting
Phase 3

Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Roluperidone in Adult Subjects With Negative Symptoms and Stable Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia and to Evaluate the Relapse Rate of Roluperidone and Antipsychotic Medications

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Minerva Neurosciences380 enrolled5 locationsNCT07565428
Recruiting
Not Applicable

Efficiency Assessment of BREFORM. A Multicentric Stepped-wedge Randomized Control Trial.

Schizophrenia
Hôpital le Vinatier206 enrolled1 locationNCT05036590
Recruiting
Not Applicable

A Virtual Reality Mindfulness Application for Aggression in Schizophrenia

AggressionSchizophrenia DisorderSchizoaffecitve Disorder
Manhattan Psychiatric Center58 enrolled2 locationsNCT07434479
Recruiting
Not Applicable

French Source-monitoring Task

Schizophrenia
Hôpital le Vinatier120 enrolled1 locationNCT04237155
Recruiting
Not Applicable

FEEL-GOOD: A Multicenter Trial of a Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy in Young Adults With Early Psychosis

PsychosisSchizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD)First-episode Psychosis+4 more
Stephanie Mehl252 enrolled8 locationsNCT07645443
Recruiting
Not Applicable

Deep Brain Stimulation for Psychosis

Treatment-Refractory Schizophrenia
Bradley Lega10 enrolled1 locationNCT06257056
Recruiting
Phase 3

Efficacy of NBI-1117568 in Preventing Relapse in Adults With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia
Neurocrine Biosciences560 enrolled20 locationsNCT07227818
Recruiting
Phase 1

A Study of the Feasibility, Safety and Tolerability of Aticaprant as Adjunctive Treatment in Participants With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia
Janssen Research & Development, LLC64 enrolled8 locationsNCT07615426
Recruiting
Phase 3

NBI-1117568-SCZ3032: Long-Term Evaluation of NBI-1117568 in Adults With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia
Neurocrine Biosciences600 enrolled57 locationsNCT07114874
Recruiting

Mental Health During the Whole Life Cycle of Community Patients With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia
Shanghai Mental Health Center1,200 enrolled1 locationNCT05159349
Recruiting
Phase 3

Evenamide, a Glutamate Release Modulator, as Add-On to Standard of Care in Subjects With Documented Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia
Newron Pharmaceuticals SPA400 enrolled10 locationsNCT07184619
Recruiting
Not Applicable

Restoring Spindle and Thalamocortical Efficiency in Early-Course Schizophrenia Patients Using Auditory Stimulation

Schizophrenia
Fabio Ferrarelli200 enrolled1 locationNCT05956951
Recruiting
Phase 3

Study to Evaluate Weight Gain as Assessed by Change in BMI Z-score in Pediatric Subjects With Schizophrenia or Bipolar I Disorder

SchizophreniaBipolar I Disorder
Alkermes, Inc.220 enrolled47 locationsNCT05303064
Recruiting
Phase 2

A Study of Brenipatide in Adult Participants With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia
Eli Lilly and Company450 enrolled102 locationsNCT07410507
Recruiting
Phase 4

A Study to Evaluate the Effect of KarXT on Urological Safety

Schizophrenia
Bristol-Myers Squibb60 enrolled13 locationsNCT07221877
Recruiting
Phase 4

Anti-Inflammatory Challenge in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia
Emory University60 enrolled2 locationsNCT05823532
Recruiting
Phase 3

Metformin Alleviates Abnormal Glucose Metabolism Induced by Statins in Schizophrenia Patients

Schizophrenia
Central South University400 enrolled8 locationsNCT07045142