Clozapine to prevent violent behavior in people with schizophrenia

2/7 Clozapine for the Prevention of Violence in Schizophrenia: a Randomized Clinical Trial

NIH-funded research New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11134600

This trial will compare clozapine with usual treatment to see if it lowers the chance of violent acts in people with schizophrenia who are at high risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11134600 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, you would be randomly assigned to take clozapine or to continue usual antipsychotic care for 24 weeks. The trial is open-label (you and your doctors will know the medication) and a blinded rater will track outcomes at regular visits. About 280 adults at seven U.S. sites will be enrolled, and the main outcome is time until a violent act occurs. The study is coordinated by the New York State Psychiatric Institute and includes regular safety monitoring required for clozapine.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with schizophrenia who are considered at high risk for violent behavior and who can comply with clozapine’s medical monitoring would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without schizophrenia, those at low risk for violence, or those who cannot tolerate clozapine or meet its monitoring requirements may not receive benefit from this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could show clozapine reduces violent behavior and improve safety and quality of life for people with schizophrenia.

How similar studies have performed: Smaller or observational studies suggest clozapine can reduce aggression, but no large randomized community trial has definitively proven this effect.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.