Clinical Research Directory

Clozapine-related Immunodeficiency in Parkinsons Disease

Clozapine is a second generation antipsychotic drug used in psychiatry to treat schizophrenia, affective disorders or certain symptoms of dementia. In neurology, clozapine is frequently used and recommended to manage symptoms of psychosis associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The risk of neutropenia or agranulocytosis associated with clozapine estimated at 1.3% is well known to doctors around the world with a peak at one month and a decrease in risk after more than a year of treatment. This risk has led to the policy of "no blood, no drugs" and monitoring of the complete blood count (CBC) weekly for 18 weeks and then monthly for the duration of treatment. Some studies suggest an increased risk of infections related to immunodeficiency induced by clozapine itself. This clozapine-induced immunodeficiency would be comparable to that encountered in patients with common variable immunodeficiency or under immunosuppressive treatment. In addition, this immunosuppressive effect linked to clozapine would not be dose dependent but time dependent. However, the only studies currently performed have been in psychiatric patients treated for schizophrenia. It seems important to specifically explore clozapine-related immunodeficiency in PD patients treated with clozapine for PD-related psychosis. In this study, the investigators propose to evaluate the variations in serum immunoglobulin levels and lymphocyte subpopulations (B, T, NK) in parkinsonian patients treated with Clozapine at 6 months and 1 year after initiation of treatment.

A Clinical Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Chemogenetics Therapy in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

The investigators propose a gene therapy strategy using chemical genetic inhibition to intervene in the abnormal activity of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease. The investigators design and construct a highly efficient therapeutic injection STP-001 (first drug), through the efficient adeno-associated virus capsid (AAV), neuronal promoter (hSyn), and chemical genetic effector element (hM4Di), and accurately inject the drug into the bilateral subthalamic nucleus, the core pathological nucleus of Parkinson's disease, through stereotactic technology. Combined with a very low dose of clozapine (the second drug), the abnormal activity of the subthalamic nucleus is precisely intervened to improve the core motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Does GLP-1RA Prevent Deterioration of Metabolic State in Prediabetic and Diabetic Patients Treated With Antipsychotic Medication?

Background and objective: Clozapine and olanzapine are some of the most effective antipsychotic drugs, but unfortunately, both drugs induce weight gain and conveys a high degree of metabolic disturbances. The antipsychotic-induced side-effects cause a major clinical problem among patients diagnosed with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic treatment. Limited effects have been demonstrated for counteracting the side-effects by the switch of antipsychotic therapy, non-pharmacological/behavioural interventions or adjunct pharmacological treatments. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA,) is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes worldwide. The objective of the study is to investigate effects of semaglutide once-weekly vs. semaglutide placebo once-weekly on the metabolic state in prediabetic or diabetic patients with schizophrenia, who have initiated treatment with clozapine or olanzapine. Methods and analysis: Trial design, intervention and participants: The study is a 26-week, double-blinded, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, good clinical practice (GCP)-monitored, clinical trial. 104 prediabetic or diabetic patients diagnosed with a schizophrenia, age 18 years and 65 years, who have initiated of clozapine- or olanzapine-treatment within 5 years will be included in the study. The patients will be randomized to receive blinded treatment in one of the two study arms; semaglutide once-weekly vs. semaglutide placebo. All participants who complete the 26 weeks of intervention, will be invited for a follow up visit 1.5 yeras after study completion. The primary endpoint is the change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Secondary endpoints include change in body weight, hip and waist circumference, vitals, and plasma levels of insulin, glucose, C-peptid, insulin sensitivity, beta cell function, glucagon, liver function, lipid profile, incretin hormones, lipid profile, bone makers, body composition, bone density and proteomic analyses. Additional endpoints include alcohol, tobacco and drug use, food preferences, psychopathology, activity and quality of life.

Effect of Exercise on Clinical Symptoms, Cognitive Performance, and Quality of Life in Schizophrenia Patients Treated With Clozapine

This prospective study aims to investigate the effects of exercise on clinical symptoms, cognitive performance, and quality of life in schizophrenia patients treated with Clozapine.