Glutamatergic Mechanisms: Aim 2
Official title: Glutamatergic Mechanisms of Psychosis and Target Engagement: Aim2
Run by New York State Psychiatric Institute · NCT05401227 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test how different ketamine doses plus an experimental drug (TS-134 or XT) or placebo engage brain glutamate targets in healthy volunteers.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | New York State Psychiatric Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 15, 2022 |
| Main results expected | August 2028 |
| Study ends | August 2029 |
| Registry record updated | November 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05401227 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18-55 without psychiatric history or substance use disorders (except nicotine) and willing to complete outpatient/inpatient phases.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active psychiatric illness or a history of psychotic disorders are not eligible and are unlikely to experience direct benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Healthy adults will be randomized to three ketamine dose levels, with each ketamine group further randomized to receive either TS-134, XT, or placebo across 4 days. The study uses ketamine-induced phBOLD imaging to gauge target engagement of a glutamate-focused approach, aiming to inform dose selection for future schizophrenia trials. Participants undergo screening, a 4-day treatment period, and two phBOLD sessions (baseline and Day 4), plus a follow-up visit. The trial is designed as Phase 1, focusing on safety, tolerability, and biomarker readouts in healthy volunteers before patient studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could help identify biomarkers and dosing strategies to guide future glutamate-based treatments for schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has used ketamine-induced phBOLD as a potential biomarker for glutamatergic target engagement, with mixed success in translating to approved treatments.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age between 18-55 at screen 2. Medically healthy, as assessed by study physician at screen 3. Capable of understanding the study procedures and able to provide informed consent 4. Eligible men and women must agree to use a reliable method of birth control (See section 5.3) during the study. Women who are post-menopausal or otherwise not of childbearing potential are also eligible. 5. Willing and reliable to participate in XT or placebo phase as an outpatient and/or agreeable to participate as an inpatient. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current or past Axis I psychiatric history (including Substance Use Disorder/Alcohol Use Disorder, with the exception of nicotine use disorder) as assessed at screen 2. Positive urine toxicology or alcohol at screen 3. History of recreational ketamine use, recreational PCP use, or an adverse reaction to ketamine. Participants who have participated in prior research ketamine studies will be eligible. Participants can have infusions not more frequently than biweekly, and not more than 1/month on average, therefore participants entering the study will need to wait one month if they had a single infusion and 6 weeks if they have had two closely spaced infusions. 4. History of first-degree relative with schizophrenia 5. Pregnancy or breast-feeding. This exclusion criterion applies only to females of child-bearing potential (not surgically sterilized and between menarche and 1 year postmenopausal). Must test negative for pregnancy at the time of screening based on a serum pregnancy test. 6. History of violence, including any history of using a gun, knife, or other weapon with intent to harm someone, as well as more than one physical fight without a weapon after the age of 18 years old (not including fights that happen during sports competition). 7. Presence or positive history of significant medical illness at screen, including: * Contraindications to XT (urinary retention, moderate or severe hepatic impairment, gastric retention, untreated narrow-angle glaucoma, hypernasality) * renal problems (GFR\<60) * high blood pressure (defined as supine systolic blood pressure (SBP) \> 140 or supine diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \> 90) * low blood pressure (defined as supine SBP \< 100, DBP \< 60) * abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (change in mean arterial pressure \[1/3 systolic + 2/3 diastolic\] of \> 20% between supine and standing blood pressures) * clinically significant cardiac illness, as determined by the site physician * clinically significant abnormal screening labs, as determined by the site physician 8. Participants with suicidal ideation with intent or plan (indicated by affirmative answers to items 4 or 5 of the Suicidal Ideation section of the baseline C-SSRS) in the 6 months prior to screening or participants who represent a significant risk of suicide in the opinion of the investigator. 9. Presence or positive history of neurological illness, including seizures, mental retardation or any other disease/procedure/accident/intervention associated with significant injury to or malfunction of the central nervous system (CNS), or history of significant head injury. 10. Any material in the body that is a contraindication for MRI procedures 11. Currently taking any psychotropic medication, including antidepressant medications, benzodiazepines, antipsychotic medications, mood stabilizers, anti-epileptic medications, and stimulants. We will exclude any participant who requires treatment with any psychotropic medication from one of these classes.
Where it's running
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Nyspi
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Joshua Kantrowitz, MD — Nyspi
- Study coordinator: Joshua Kantrowitz
- Email: joshua.kantrowitz@nyspi.columbia.edu
- Phone: 6467748477
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.