Comparing brain activity and metabolism in schizophrenia and healthy individuals

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate differences in brain metabolism and activity between individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers. It will assess brain glucose utilization, lactate production, and glutamate variability using advanced imaging techniques, including MRI and PET-MRI scans. Participants will undergo a screening visit followed by these imaging procedures to gather data on brain function and chemistry. The study seeks to enhance understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of schizophrenia.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy volunteer group:

1\. No history of psychiatric illness, as assessed on the Mini neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).

Treatment responsive schizophrenia group:

1. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for schizophrenia (F20)
2. Meeting symptomatic consensus criteria for remission, defined as scores of mild or less on items P1, P2, P3, N1, N4, N6, G5 and G9 of the PANSS and no history of symptomatic relapse in the past 6 months.
3. Currently receiving one or more of the following antipsychotic medications: Olanzapine; Risperidone; Quetiapine; Amisulpride; Aripiprazole; Paliperidone.
4. Antipsychotic adherent, defined as having a score of \>=moderate adherence on the Kemp scale.

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia group:

1. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for schizophrenia (F20)
2. Meeting modified consensus criteria for treatment resistance, including history of at least two antipsychotic treatment trials each lasting ≥6 weeks at a dose of ≥400mg chlorpromazine equivalents.
3. Total PANSS total score \> 70
4. Moderate functional impairment (\<60 on the SOFAS)
5. Currently receiving one or more of the following antipsychotic medications: Clozapine; Olanzapine; Risperidone; Quetiapine; Amisulpride; Aripiprazole; Paliperidone.
6. Antipsychotic adherent, defined as having a score of \>=moderate adherence on the Kemp scale.

Exclusion Criteria:

All participants:

1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
2. Lacking in mental capacity to provide informed consent to study participation.

2\. Diabetes or history of taking an antidiabetic medication 3. Presence of contraindication to MRI at 7 Tesla, including metallic or electronic implants and dental wires.

4\. Severe claustrophobia prohibiting participation on PET or MRI 5. Body size above the comfortable limits for the MRI scanner. 6. Previous participation in research or clinical procedure/s involving ionising radiation, which, including the current study, would result in total radiation exposure \>=10mSv within 12 months 7. History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for \> 5 minutes 8. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for organic mental disorder (F00-F09) 9. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19) 10. With exclusion of nicotine or cannabis, meeting ICD-11 criteria for psychoactive substance dependence 11. Participation in clinical trial investigating any pharmacological agent other than a licensed antipsychotic compound in the last month.

Where it's running

• South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
  London, United Kingdom Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Alice Egerton, PhD
• Email: EAGLES_study@kcl.ac.uk
• Phone: +442078480721

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Using Lumateperone to improve motivation in patients with schizophrenia and psychosis

  This study is testing if Lumateperone can help people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders feel more motivated and less apathetic.

  Recruiting Phase 3 Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport · Shreveport, Louisiana · NCT06482554

• Examining the effects of combined therapy for schizophrenia

  This study is testing whether combining two therapies, one for managing thoughts and another for improving cognitive skills, can help people with schizophrenia do better in their daily lives compared to using just one of the therapies.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of Toronto · Scarborough Village, Ontario and 1 other locations · NCT05731414

• XEP527 in stable schizophrenia: safety and how it behaves in the body

  This small, early-stage study tests the safety and how XEP527 behaves in people with stable schizophrenia who are on a single antipsychotic.

  Recruiting Phase 1 Novartis · Bentonville, Arkansas · NCT07908680

• Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Auditory Hallucinations

  This study tests whether theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation can lessen persistent auditory verbal hallucinations in adults with schizophrenia-spectrum or psychotic disorders who have not responded to antipsychotic meds.

  Recruiting Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal · Montreal, Quebec · NCT07902518

• Quality of life and safety in quetiapine use for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

  This study looks at how patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder feel and stay safe when treated with quetiapine alone or with other antipsychotics.

  Recruiting Bosnalijek D.D · Sarajevo · NCT07858565

• Neuronavigated rTMS for treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations

  We are testing whether personalized neuronavigated inhibitory rTMS can reduce persistent auditory verbal hallucinations in adults who don’t respond to medication.

  Recruiting Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich · Zurich · NCT07856368

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.