Memantine Augmentation of Targeted Cognitive Training in Schizophrenia

Phase

2/3

Condition

Psychosis

Tourette's Syndrome

Schizophrenia And Schizoaffective Disorders (Pediatric)

Treatment

Memantine

Placebo

Clinical Study ID

NCT04857983

201502

Ages 18-65
All Genders

Study Summary

Treatment of schizophrenia currently includes antipsychotic medications and cognitive therapies which improve some symptoms, but do not sufficiently restore cognitive functioning or reduce psychosocial disability. We hypothesize that medications that specifically target sensory information processing deficits, rather than psychotic symptoms per se, will significantly enhance the benefits of a sensory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) intervention in patients with schizophrenia. We will complete a randomized, double-blind clinical trial to: 1) confirm that the drug memantine augments TCT learning; 2) determine whether memantine enhances the clinical benefits from a full 30 session course of TCT vs. TCT plus placebo in antipsychotic- medicated schizophrenia patients, and 3) determine if memantine's enhancement of TCT is most effective in biomarker-defined subgroups of patients.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
Written informed consent to participate in the study
Age 18-65
Absence of dementia or mental retardation
Urine toxicology negative for recreational drugs
Fluent and literate in English

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Meets DSM-IV criteria for current substance abuse or dependence and has beensubstance abstinent for less than 30 days
A history of traumatic brain injury
Auditory or visual impairments severe enough to prevent study participation
Under conservatorship (determined by Anasazi)
Pregnancy

Study Design

Memantine

2/3

July 06, 2021

March 30, 2025

Study Description

Treatment of schizophrenia (SZ) currently includes antipsychotic medications and cognitive therapies which improve some symptoms, but do not sufficiently restore cognitive functioning or reduce psychosocial disability. We propose and will test a novel "augmentation strategy" for using medications to specifically enhance the benefits of targeted cognitive training (TCT) in schizophrenia. This project tests a rational and empirically supported platform for augmenting the benefits of TCT in antipsychotic medicated SZ patients by adjunctive daily treatment of 20 mg memantine, an FDA approved medication for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease. We hypothesize that medications that specifically target sensory information processing deficits, rather than psychotic symptoms per se, will significantly enhance the benefits of a sensory-based targeted cognitive training (TCT) intervention in patients with schizophrenia. We will complete a randomized, double-blind clinical trial to: 1) confirm that the drug memantine augments TCT learning; 2) determine whether memantine enhances the clinical benefits from a full 30 session course of TCT vs. TCT plus placebo in antipsychotic- medicated schizophrenia patients, and 3) determine if memantine's enhancement of TCT is most effective in biomarker-defined subgroups of patients.

Connect with a study center

Clinical Teaching Facility (CTF B-403 at UCSD Medical Center)
San Diego, California 92103
United States
Site Not Available

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