Carnosine and Cognitive Training in Schizophrenia

Phase

2/3

Condition

Tourette's Syndrome

Mood Disorders

Schizotypal Personality Disorder (Spd)

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT02686697

GCO 14-1119

Ages 18-60
All Genders

Study Summary

This is a double-blind placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of the combination of a cognition enhancing drug, i.e carnosine, with cognitive training in patients with schizophrenia. All participants will receive the same cognitive training sessions and will be randomised to either carnosine or placebo for the duration of the combined treatment period (2 weeks). Before combined training and carnosine/placebo, there is a two-week carnosine/placebo only phase to examine the effects of carnosine alone on functioning without training.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 18-60, males and females.
DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder documented in a medicalrecord, confirmation by treating physician and/or treatment team, or confirmation ofdiagnosis by our study psychiatrist or clinical psychologist
Duration of illness equal to or greater than one year.
Patients should be clinically stable in a non-acute phase for at least 8 weeks priorto the screening visit
Treatment with stable doses of antipsychotic medications for at least 4 weeks prior tothe screening visit.
Negative result in the urine pregnancy test performed during the screening visit inwomen of child bearing potential (not surgically sterile or 2 yearspostmenopausal).Women of child-bearing potential, who are sexually active, will beconsidered as potential participants if they are using acceptable methods ofcontraception, which include barrier method with spermicide, intrauterine device (IUD), steroidal contraceptive (oral, transdermal, implanted, and injected).
Subjects must read and write in English at a level sufficient to understand andcomplete study- related procedures.
Informed consent signed by participant

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

DSM -IV diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse (other than nicotine) within the lastmonth or a DSM-IV]diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependence (other than nicotine)in the last 6 months preceding the screening visit.
Current treatment (within 4 weeks) with psychotropic agents known to effect cognition:amphetamines, barbiturates, MAOIs, methylphenidate, benzodiazepines.
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Clinically significant abnormalities on physical examination.
History of a serious neurological disorder or a systemic illness with knownneurological complications.
History of significant other major or unstable metabolic, hepatic, renal,hematological, pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders.
Known allergy to L-carnosine
Unwillingness or inability to follow or comply with the procedures outlined in theprotocol.

Study Design

December 01, 2015

July 19, 2022

Study Description

Compromised cognitive functioning is a core feature of schizophrenia, yet it remains a major unmet need in the treatment of schizophrenia. Current available therapeutic approaches to enhance cognition in schizophrenia - either pharmacological or non-pharmacological (for a review) have yielded, at best, only modest results with questionable retention of the cognitive benefits and generalization of the effects into functional benefit. The investigators propose a novel approach to enhance cognition in schizophrenia: combining a food supplement with cognitive training, rather than using each intervention alone.

Aim is to test the primary hypothesis that the combination of L-carnosine with cognitive training will significantly increase the performance of patients with schizophrenia on memory and learning training tasks compared to pairing cognitive training with placebo. The investigators will also test the secondary hypotheses that in the group receiving L-carnosine increased performance is due to a greater learning rate. Carnosine has antioxidant and antiglycating action and is found in food and the human body. The investigator's choice is guided by several considerations but, primarily the evidence that L-carnosine has neuroprotective effects through its antioxidant features. Briefly, the investigators propose that alterations in metabolism in several neurotransmitter systems (particularly glutamate) can both contribute to, and be modified by, oxidative stress, and therefore antioxidant administration could positively affect neurotransmitter role in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory.

Carnosine has shown some improvements in cognitive outcomes in autism (Chez et al, 2002) and schizophrenia (Chengappa et al; unpublished). Chez used oral doses of 800mg/d for 8 weeks; while the latter study used oral doses of 2000mg for 4 weeks showing positive effects. Hence this is the dose and delivery route that will be used. The investigators have opted for 4 weeks course following broadly from these two studies. Carnosine is widely available from health and food supplement shops in the UK and US retail market in highly pure form; is a naturally occurring in food and the human body; and is well-tolerated and has a benign side-effect profile, as shown from previous trials, and is therefore not associated with any potential risks.

Connect with a study center

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York 10029
United States
Site Not Available

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