White Matter Plasticity in Schizophrenia

NCT06641297 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: HP-00081020
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are associated with impairment in the microstructure of white matter, the key brain tissue responsible for fast communication between different brain regions necessary for any complex task. This white matter impairment is linked to problems with cognition in schizophrenia, especially slower processing speed. This project aims to study the potential for correcting white matter deficits in schizophrenia by examining mechanisms underlying white matter structure changes in response to training on playing a mock musical instrument.

Conditions

Schizophrenia Disorders

Keywords

music; training; plasticity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• White matter microstructure

  fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts as assessed with diffusion tensor imaging

  3 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Brain level of N-acetylaspartate

  3 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Active training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Training sessions involving playing the video game 'Guitar Hero'

Behavioral: Music video game

Observation training

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Behavioral: Music video game

Interventions

Music video game BEHAVIORAL

The video game \'Guitar Hero\' will be used as the platform for training for participants to acquire a new \'skill\'

Active training; Observation training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, or psychosis NOS
• age 15-45
• able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• contraindications to MRI (metal implants, claustrophobia)
• medical condition that limits use of hands (ie, arthritis)
• Active or recent (within 6 months) substance use disorder other than nicotine

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Maryland, Baltimore: lead

Study Sites (2)

Maryland Psychiatric Research Center

Catonsville, Maryland, 21228, United States

RECRUITING

University of Maryland Baltimore - Maryland Psychiatric Research Center

Catonsville, Maryland, 21228, United States

NOT YET RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Schizophrenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Mental Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Joshua J Chiappelli, MD

CONTACT

4104026827; jchiappe@som.umaryland.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 11, 2024
• First Posted: October 15, 2024
• Study Start: January 2, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (2)