RecruitingEarly Phase 1NCT06270108

The Role of Glutamatergic Function in the Pathophysiology of Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia

Sponsor

King's College London

Enrollment

288 participants

Start Date

Nov 14, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia Healthy (Controls)Treatment-responsive Schizophrenia

Summary

The goal of this basic science study is to to explore the responsivity of glutamate in the brain of treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients to the drug riluzole. The main aims of the study are: To assess the role of glutamate in treatment-resistant schizophrenia using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To assess the relationship between glutamate levels and brain structural and functional measures (using: structural MRI; functional MRI (fMRI) and arterial spin labelling (ASL)) at baseline. To assess the relationship between longitudinal change in glutamate levels and brain structural and functional measures. To assess the relationship between longitudinal change in glutamate levels and changes in psychopathology. The researchers will compare the changes with healthy controls and those without treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is investigating brain chemistry in people with schizophrenia that has not responded to standard medications. Specifically, researchers are looking at the role of glutamate (a brain signaling chemical) to better understand why some people's symptoms are hard to treat. **You may be eligible if...** - You are 18 or older - You have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder - Your symptoms have not improved despite trying at least two different antipsychotic medications - You are on a stable dose of antipsychotic medication **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have recently changed your medication dose - You have certain other medical conditions that would affect brain scans - You are unable to give informed consent Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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