Trial Outcomes & Findings for Systematic Evaluation of Antiviral Medication in Schizophrenia (NCT NCT00514449)

NCT ID: NCT00514449

Last Updated: 2018-06-14

Results Overview

This is a structured measure of severity of psychopathology that includes both positive and negative symptoms. The range is a minimum score of 30 and the maximum is 210. The lower scores suggest milder severity of illness domains.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

31 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18

Results posted on

2018-06-14

Participant Flow

Subjects were recruited between 7/2007 and 8/2009 at two separate sites, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Recruitment took place through the local hospital and community mental health and school counseling centers, as well as other research studies and area mental health conferences.

Patients first had a placebo run-in for two weeks along with the psychiatric medications they were on and then randomized at Week 2 to either VAV or placebo group. Enrolled subjects were excluded due to cannabis abuse, claustrophobia, and a duration of illness that was too long.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Valacyclovir
1 gram pill taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it increased to 1.5 gram pill taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Sugar Pill
2 placebo pills taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks 3 pills taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Overall Study
STARTED
12
12
Overall Study
COMPLETED
9
8
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
3
4

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Valacyclovir
1 gram pill taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it increased to 1.5 gram pill taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Sugar Pill
2 placebo pills taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks 3 pills taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
1
2
Overall Study
Protocol Violation
1
2
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
1
0

Baseline Characteristics

Systematic Evaluation of Antiviral Medication in Schizophrenia

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Valacyclovir
n=12 Participants
1 gram pill taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it increased to 1.5 gram pill taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Sugar Pill
n=12 Participants
2 placebo pills taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks 3 pills taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Total
n=24 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
12 Participants
n=93 Participants
12 Participants
n=4 Participants
24 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Age, Continuous
29.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.4 • n=93 Participants
28.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.5 • n=4 Participants
29.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.8 • n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
6 Participants
n=93 Participants
5 Participants
n=4 Participants
11 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants
n=93 Participants
7 Participants
n=4 Participants
13 Participants
n=27 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
12 participants
n=93 Participants
12 participants
n=4 Participants
24 participants
n=27 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Weeks 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18

Population: Comparative analysis of active drug versus placebo

This is a structured measure of severity of psychopathology that includes both positive and negative symptoms. The range is a minimum score of 30 and the maximum is 210. The lower scores suggest milder severity of illness domains.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Valacyclovir
n=12 Participants
1 gram pill taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it increased to 1.5 gram pill taken twice a day for 16 weeks
Sugar Pill
n=12 Participants
2 placebo pills taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks 3 pills taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia
Scores at week 2 of the trial
72.25 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 11.450
77 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 14.917
PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia
Scores at Baseline of the trial
70.08 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 12.616
83.92 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 13.895
PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia
Scores at week 4 of the trial
67.36 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 12.314
75.2 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 13.998
PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia
Scores at week 6 of the trial
65.583 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 9.228
74.3 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 16.275
PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia
Scores at week 10 of the trial
65.2 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 10.737
73.2 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 12.044
PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia
Scores at week 14 of the trial
57.1 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 12.511
69.6 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 14.886
PANSS Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia
Scores at the end of the trial
56.5 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 9.289
67.125 Scores on the scale
Standard Deviation 13.726

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 18

All results are given as the mean difference between an 18 week follow-up and the baseline battery administrations.This is a computerized test that measures both accuracy and response times. A range for response times is not available because of individual variabilities. Accuracy scores can vary for each test: Working memory accuracy range was 0-16. Verbal memory accuracy range was 0-20. For both, the higher the score the better. No cut offs are available

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Valacyclovir
n=12 Participants
1 gram pill taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it increased to 1.5 gram pill taken twice a day for 16 weeks
Sugar Pill
n=12 Participants
2 placebo pills taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks 3 pills taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Cognitive Function Neuropsychological Battery (Gur Battery)
Immediate Verbal Memory Reaction Accuracy
2.44 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.62
-0.49 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.11
Cognitive Function Neuropsychological Battery (Gur Battery)
Working Memory: 2-Back Test Accuracy
2.13 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.68
0.13 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 18

Population: Analysis included on all participants on whom baseline and week 18 data were collected. Valacyclovir and placebo groups

Gray matter volume changes (in cc) were measured using structural MRI. Changes were reported as gray matter volume in cc. Note: Assessment of blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) changes using fMRI were erroneously included in the original study record.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Valacyclovir
n=9 Participants
1 gram pill taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it increased to 1.5 gram pill taken twice a day for 16 weeks
Sugar Pill
n=8 Participants
2 placebo pills taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks 3 pills taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Changes in Grey Matter Deficit
26.83 cm^3
Standard Deviation 5.04
24.22 cm^3
Standard Deviation 2.85

Adverse Events

Valacyclovir

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 5 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Sugar Pill

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 6 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Valacyclovir
n=12 participants at risk
1 gram pill taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks it increased to 1.5 gram pill taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Sugar Pill
n=12 participants at risk
2 placebo pills taken twice a day for 2 weeks, after 2 weeks 3 pills taken twice a day for 16 weeks.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Stomach Bloating
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
General disorders
Fatigue
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Psychiatric disorders
Mild Extrapyramidal Symptoms
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Pain in Elbow when Extended
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Psychiatric disorders
Increased Sexual Drive
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Psychiatric disorders
Insomnia
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Leg Cramps
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Constipation
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Stomach Pain
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Nervous system disorders
Motion Sickness
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Nervous system disorders
Tongue Twitch
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
Nervous system disorders
Slight Tremor
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.
0.00%
0/12 • 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, and 18 weeks.

Additional Information

Dr. Konasale Prasad

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

Phone: 412-586-9014

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place