The Effect of Nitric Oxide on Spatial Working Memory in Patients With Schizophrenia

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE1

Total Enrollment

21 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2014-08-31

Study Completion Date

2016-02-29

Brief Summary

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Spatial working memory (ability to remember where objects are in space) is impaired in patients with schizophrenia. It is thought that this impairment occurs due to problems with the chemical messenger (neurotransmitter), glutamate, and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor, particularly in the hippocampal brain region. NMDA receptor activation leads to increases in the release of the second messenger Nitric Oxide. Impaired NMDA receptor function would therefore be predicted to lead to reductions in Nitric Oxide production. Recent work suggests that a drug, sodium nitroprusside, which releases nitric oxide, enhances some aspects of cognition in schizophrenia (specifically related to negative symptoms). In this study, the investigators will test the hypothesis that sodium nitroprusside improves spatial working memory in patients with schizophrenia. 15 patients will receive sodium nitroprusside, and 15 will receive a nonactive compound (placebo). Their performance on a spatial working memory task will be tested before and after administration of sodium nitroprusside or placebo.

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Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Schizophrenia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Glucose infusion

Placebo infusion of sterile 5% glucose - 500ml infused over 4 hours.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type OTHER

Sodium Nitroprusside infusion

Sodium nitroprusside dissolved in 5% glucose solution. Infused at 0.5mcg/kg/min for 4 hours.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Sodium Nitroprusside infusion

Intervention Type DRUG

Interventions

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Sodium Nitroprusside infusion

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, currently experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms (a score \> 20 for PANSS-Positive subscale), currently taking antipsychotics and who have given informed consent to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

History of hypertension or current resting systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than 90 mmHg. Relevant medical illness (renal, hepatic, cardiac), prior history of intolerance to sodium nitroprusside, presence of a seizure disorder, any change in psychotropic medication in previous 6 weeks, diagnosis of substance abuse, pregnancy (as determined by urine test) or breastfeeding.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No