A Pilot Trial of Acute N-Acetylcysteine Effects on Working Memory and Other Cognitive Functions in Schizophrenia

NCT ID: NCT01232790

Last Updated: 2015-12-01

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

28 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2010-02-28

Study Completion Date

2011-11-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the amino acid supplement N-Acetylcysteine versus placebo on working memory and other cognitive functions in persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Detailed Description

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Working memory impairment in Schizophrenia is produced by deficiencies of feedback inhibition of glutamate release, due to low cysteine-glutamate antiporter activity. Because of this mechanism, we are interested in whether acute administration of N-Acetylcysteine will improve performance of patients with schizophrenia on a battery of cognitive tasks utilized to test working memory and other cognitive domains, versus placebo. This pilot study will utilize a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, crossover design.

Conditions

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Schizophrenia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Group A: Intervention/Placebo

Group A first receives the commercially available sustained release form of N-acetylcysteine, then the matching placebo capsules both administered at 1200mg twice a day for 3 full days, along with 1200mg once on the evening prior to and once on the morning following the 3 days (8 total doses over 5 days).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

N-Acetylcysteine

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

N-acetylcysteine 1200mg bid for 3 days

Group B: Placebo/Intervention

Group B first receives the placebo and then receives a commercially available sustained release form of N-Acetylcysteine. In each arm, the capsules are both administered at 1200mg twice a day for 3 full days, along with 1200mg once on the evening prior to and once on the morning following the 3 days (8 total doses over 5 days).

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo

Interventions

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N-Acetylcysteine

N-acetylcysteine 1200mg bid for 3 days

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Subjects will be between 18-60
* Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM) criteria for schizophrenia
* Be on a stable dose of antipsychotic medication for at least 1 month
* Be deemed clinically stable for 3 months by the regular clinical staff

Exclusion Criteria

* Current substance or alcohol abuse
* Pregnancy
* Clozapine treatment
* Known sensitivity to sulphur containing compounds
* Previous diagnosis of mental retardation
* Nitroglycerin use
* Asthma diagnosis, verified and treated by a primary care doctor
* Use of any other medication that may interact with the study medication
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Yale University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Cenk Tek, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Yale University

Locations

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Connecticut Mental Health Center

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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M131976

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

0904005039

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id