Hippocampal Memory Circuits in Delusions

Last updated: April 29, 2024
Sponsor: NYU Langone Health
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Psychosis

Treatment

Pattern Separation Paradigm

Sequential Associative Mismatch Paradigm

Encoding Plasticity Paradigm

Clinical Study ID

NCT03822910
18-00656
  • Ages 16-35
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study will investigate dentate gyrus (DG) and hippocampal CA3 sub field function, using the pattern separation paradigm, as reflected by the difference in brain activation in response to same-as-previously- seen (OLD) vs. similar-to-previously-seen (SIM) objects in first episode psychosis (FEP) subjects before and after anti psychotic treatment and in matched healthy controls (HC). The current study uses three novel high-resolution task-based and post-encoding resting fMRI measures to probe hippocampal circuitry in delusions. It will also study CA1 function, using a sequential associative mismatch paradigm, as reflected by activation of CA1 in response to mismatching information compared to memory of that stimulus in FEP subjects before and after antipsychotic treatment and in matched HC. Finally, this study will evaluate plasticity of hippocampal intrinsic functional connectivity (IFC) in response to memory consolidation, using an encoding-plasticity paradigm, in FEP subjects before and after anti psychotic treatment and in matched HC. For each of the three imaging projects, a total of 50 FEP subjects and 50 matched healthy controls (HC) will be studied; hence, 300 subjects will be studied over 5 years. Within each paradigm, medication-naive FEP subjects will be studied at baseline and 8 weeks after starting anti psychotic medication. HC participants will be studied at baseline and 8 weeks later but will not receive any treatment.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Males and females 16 to 35 years of age, inclusive, at the time of informed consent
  • Right-handed
  • Must have experienced a first episode of non-affective psychosis over the past fiveyears
  • Must exhibit a persistence of delusions for at least 4 days per week for at least 4weeks in the absence of psychotomimetic substance use or other potential organicetiologies, including epilepsy or significant head trauma.
  • Must score at least a 2 (mild to moderate) on the "Amount of preoccupation withdelusions" and "Conviction" items on the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS).

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of major mood disorder or other Axis I disorder other than Schizophrenia,Schizoaffective Disorder or Schizophreniform Disorder.
  • Significant medical or neurological illness by history or physical exam includingseizure disorder, history of loss of consciousness related to head trauma ordevelopmental disorder including mental retardation.
  • Metal implants, pacemaker, or other metal in the body or medicinal patch.
  • History of claustrophobia.
  • Currently taking any anti psychotic medication (within 4 weeks).

Study Design

Total Participants: 212
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Pattern Separation Paradigm
Phase:
Study Start date:
July 13, 2019
Estimated Completion Date:
August 12, 2023

Connect with a study center

  • Shanghai Mental Health Center

    Shanghai,
    China

    Site Not Available

  • Suzhou Guangji Hospital

    Suzhou,
    China

    Site Not Available

  • New York Langone Health

    New York, New York 11375
    United States

    Site Not Available

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