Clinical Research Directory

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

This is a prospective, 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a dose of evenamide of 15 mg bid, compared to placebo, as add-on treatment in patients with documented treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) who have prospectively demonstrated inadequate response to their current stable therapeutic dose of an antipsychotic(s). Approximately 400 patients will be randomized equally (1:1) to each of the two treatment groups in this study.

Deep Brain Stimulation in Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) in subjects with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. There is a subset of patients with schizophrenia who continue to have persistent psychotic symptoms (auditory hallucinations and delusions) despite multiple adequate medication trials with antipsychotic medications including clozapine. There are currently no available treatments for such patients who generally have poor function and are chronically disabled, unable to work, live independently or have meaningful social relationships. Neuroimaging studies in patients with schizophrenia have revealed information about pathological neural circuits that could be suitable targets using deep brain stimulation. Although not yet tested in patients with schizophrenia, DBS is in early phase clinical trials in other psychiatric disorders. This pilot study will investigate the use of DBS in treatment-resistant schizophrenia subjects who have exhausted all other therapeutic alternatives but continue to have persistent disabling psychotic symptoms. Of note, DBS is not FDA approved for use in patients with schizophrenia. The method will be similar to that used in subthalamic nucleus stimulation in patients with Parkinson's Disease. However, the electrode will be advanced slightly inferior into the SNr, a major outflow nucleus of the basal ganglia, with the intention of causing local inhibition of SNr outflow resulting in disinhibition of the mediodorsal nucleus (MDN) of the thalamus. Hypofunction of the MDN has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia in post-mortem as well as multiple structural and functional imaging studies. Evidence suggests that dysfunction of the MD is implicated in both positive and cognitive symptoms (such as working memory impairment) in schizophrenia. Frequent monitoring and clinical assessment with psychiatric scales will be used to monitor treatment response.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sleep and Circadian Disturbances (CBT-I) in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

Using a randomized controlled design, the project aims to test if cognitive behavioral therapy interventions specifically targeting sleep disorders can significantly lessen the burden of the disrupted sleep in patients with treatment resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and by proxy lead to a reduction in psychotic symptoms and improvement in quality of life. We are including treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia other nonorganic and chronic psychoses and in addition meeting the criteria of a sleep or circadian disorder. Included patients will be block randomized to either 8-10 sessions of CBT-I (active treatment) with a specific focus on sleep or 8-10 sessions of regularCBT with a specific focus on patients' psychopathology (treatment as usual) approx.1 session/week. After 12 weeks the full battery of assessments will be repeated forboth groups. Primary analyses will be to identify group-difference in changes using repeated measure ANOVA.

Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback in Patients With Schizophrenia and Auditory Hallucinations

Neurofeedback intervention aimed to regulate the superior temporal gyrus (STG) activation and default mode network (DMN) connectivity as well as to reduce the auditory hallucinations (AH) schizophrenia patients with medication resistant AH.

Deep Brain Stimulation Recovery in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

The purpose of this project is to improve the clinical response and personal recovery of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS).

Dundrum Forensic Redevelopment Evaluation Study: D-FOREST Study.

The DUNDRUM Forensic Redevelopment Evaluation study (D-FOREST study) is a multi-site comprehensive evaluation of a complete National Forensic Mental Health Service. The study will have a prospective, observational, longitudinal design which will permit the evaluation of benefit over time for individual patients, groups of patients and the evaluation of the benefit in terms of service based outcomes of the redevelopment of a complete National Forensic Mental Health Service e.g. effects on waiting list times, length of stay. The study will systematically evaluate multiple domains of recovery in a complete National Forensic Service, including patients' physical health, mental health, offending behaviours and social and occupational functioning.