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RECRUITING
NCT05748990
NA

Does Abnormal Insulin Action in the Brain Underlie Cognitive and Metabolic Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

Cognitive impairment (such as challenges in thinking and memory) is a core aspect of schizophrenia (SCZ), contributing to disability and poor functional outcomes. Additionally, almost half of the patients with SCZ are obese, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is 3-6 times higher, and life expectancy is lower by 15-20 years compared to the general population. This is relevant as metabolic syndrome and diabetes are both associated with worse cognition among SCZ patients. Recent work studying the relationships between metabolic health and cognition has encouraged a new way of thinking about SCZ as both a metabolic and cognitive disorder. Brain insulin is involved in several processes relevant to SCZ, and abnormal brain insulin action may help explain both cognitive and metabolic abnormalities in patients with SCZ, but this has not been examined previously. Glucose uptake in several brain regions relevant to SCZ has been shown to be partially dependent on insulin. Therefore, in this study, the researchers will measure glucose uptake in the brain using an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (\[18F\]-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scan after an intranasal insulin stimulus, and will compare this measure between patients with SCZ and healthy controls.

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

17 Years - 45 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

20

Start Date

2023-04-01

Completion Date

2026-04-01

Last Updated

2025-08-05

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Interventions

DRUG

Intranasal insulin

160 IU insulin (Humalog) is administered intranasally using a metered spray bottle 15 minutes prior to the PET scan.

DRUG

Placebo

0.9% saline is administered intranasally using a metered spray bottle 15 minutes prior to the PET scan.

Locations (1)

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Toronto, Ontario, Canada