NCT00202306

Brief Summary

This study investigates the neuroprotective properties of low-dose lithium in young individuals at ultra-high risk of developping a first psychotic episode. Fourty individuals having some symptoms of an emerging psychotic disorders (without meeting the threshold for a full-blown mental illness) will be treated with a low dose of lithium (about a third of the dose that is usually used to treat acute mania). We will assess the progression of the conditions of these individuals on a montly bases for a year. We will do behavioural, cognitive and imaging assessments prior start of the treatment, after three months and one year. We hope to demonstrate that low dose lithium will stop or even reverse the progression of disease. We expect that behavioral, cognitive and in vivo brain imaging parameters in those individuals treated with low dose lithium improve, compared to the monitoring group.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
30

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_4 schizophrenia

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2001

Longer than P75 for phase_4 schizophrenia

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2001

Completed
3.9 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 14, 2005

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 20, 2005

Completed
1.2 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2006

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2006

Completed
Last Updated

May 30, 2013

Status Verified

September 1, 2005

Enrollment Period

5.1 years

First QC Date

September 14, 2005

Last Update Submit

May 28, 2013

Conditions

Keywords

at risk mental stateprodromeultra high riskfirst episode psychosisschizophreniabipolar disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

  • Symptomatic improvement

  • Cognitive improvement

  • Brain structural change (grey matter, ventricle to brain ratio)

  • Brain metabolic changes (Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Transition rate to Psychosis

  • Quality of life

  • serum apoptosis parameters (eg. bcl2)

Interventions

Eligibility Criteria

Age15 Years - 30 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Attenuated psychotic symptoms
  • Self-limited brief psychotic episode
  • Family History of psychosis and decrease in functioning over last year

You may not qualify if:

  • Organic causes of subthreshold psychotic symptoms (eg. epilepsy)
  • More than one week of neuroleptic treatment

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

ORYGEN Youth Health, PACE Clinic

Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Berger GE, Wood S, McGorry PD. Incipient neurovulnerability and neuroprotection in early psychosis. Psychopharmacol Bull. 2003 Spring;37(2):79-101.

    PMID: 14566217BACKGROUND

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

SchizophreniaBipolar DisorderPsychotic Disorders

Interventions

Lithium Carbonate

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic DisordersMental DisordersBipolar and Related DisordersMood Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

CarbonatesAlkaliesInorganic ChemicalsCarbonic AcidCarbon Compounds, InorganicLithium Compounds

Study Officials

  • Gregor E Berger, MD

    University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, ORYGEN Research Centre

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 4
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 14, 2005

First Posted

September 20, 2005

Study Start

November 1, 2001

Primary Completion

December 1, 2006

Study Completion

December 1, 2006

Last Updated

May 30, 2013

Record last verified: 2005-09

Locations