Glutamatergic Amino Acids and Oxytocin Levels in the Plasma of Patients in First Psychotic Episode (FPE)- Before and After Neuroleptic Treatment

NCT00789022 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: uriel111
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 80
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of our research is to check the levels of D-Serine, Glycine, and other Glutamatergic amino acids, in patients with First Psychotic Episode (FPE). These patients are in the early stage of the disease, treated with neuroleptics for short periods of time, and are usually hospitalized for the first time. The hypothesis of the research is that we will find low levels of Glycine and D-Serine in these patients. Following an Anti-psychotic treatment we will expect these levels to return to the norm, and that this correction will be accompanied by a reduction of positive and negative symptoms. In addition, we will check the D-Serine and Glycine levels in the plasma of first degree relatives of the patients and a group of healthy subjects. The results of this study might support the hypothesis that the Glutamatergic system in involved in the pathology of Schizophrenia from it's early stages. In addition, we will check the levels of Oxytocin and Estrogen in the plasma of patients in FPE. Our hypothesis is that we will find low levels of Estrogen and High levels of Oxytocin in this group of patients. The results of the study might support the hypothesis that Estrogen and Oxytocin are involved in the pathology of Schizophrenia from it's early stages.

Conditions

Schizophrenia; Schizophreniform; Schizoaffective Disorder; Brief Psychotic Episode

Keywords

First-Psychotic-Episode (FPE); Glutamatergic system; Glycine; D-Serine; Oxytocin; Estrogen

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Glycine and D-Serine levels in the plasma.

  6-8 weeks

Study Arms (3)

1

40 subjects in a First Psychotic Episode

2

20 First Degree relatives

3

20 Healthy subjects

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Hospitalized patients First degree ralatives Healthy subjects from the community

You may qualify if:

• Subjects between 18-60 years
• Clinical Diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Schizophreniphorm disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, Brief esychotic episode

You may not qualify if:

• two years or more of positive symptoms
• Neuroleptic treatment for more then twe weeks in the prior month, or for more then six weeks at any time.
• Drug induced psychotic episode

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Shalvata Mental Health Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

Shalvata Medical Center

Hod Hasharom, Israel

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Schizophrenia; Psychotic Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Uri Nitzan, Md

CONTACT

00-972-9-7478532; urini@clalit.org.il

Uriel Levi-Herscho, MD

CONTACT

00-972-2-5316906; uriel heresco-levy [urielh@ekmd.huji.ac.il]

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 9, 2008
• First Posted: November 11, 2008
• Study Start: January 1, 2009
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2010
• Last Updated: November 11, 2008

Record last verified: 2008-11

Locations

IL (1)