Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary features of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are characterized by positive (inability to think clearly and distinguish reality from fantasy) and negative symptoms (reduction or absence of normal behavior or emotions). Other symptoms include reduced ability to recall and learn information, difficulty in problem solving or maintaining productive employment. Asenapine is an investigational drug that may help to correct the above characteristics of schizophrenia by altering the inbalance of brain hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. This is a 12-month trial that will test the efficacy and safety of asenapine using an active comparator (olanzapine) in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Patients who complete the 12-month trial will have the option of continuing on drug until the treatment code for the 12-month trial is unblinded.
Interventions
DRUGasenapine
Flexible dose, 1-2 tablets sublingual two times per day (1 or 2 tablets in the morning and 1 or 2 tablets in the evening). Each tablet contains either 5 mg asenapine or matching placebo.
DRUGolanzapine
Oral capsules (5 mg or placebo); 1 to 2 tablets twice daily
Sponsors
Organon and Co
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Subject with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Subject must sign a written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Have an uncontrolled, unstable, clinically significant medical condition. Have any other psychiatric disorder other than schizophrenia as a primary diagnosis including depression.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in total PANSS score at endpoint (52-week double-blind or last assessment after baseline) from baseline | Screening, Baseline, Week 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 20, 28, 36, 44, 52 (endpoint) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Changes in CGI-S | At each assessment time point from baseline |
| Patient functionality and subjective well-being (as measured by LOF, SF-12 and SWN) | At weeks 8, 20, 28, 36, 44 and endpoint |
| Severity of depressed mood (as measured by the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia) | At weeks 6, 28 and endpoint |
| Resource utilization (as measured by frequency and length of hospital stay) | During the study period |
| Satisfaction with treatment in comparison with previous treatment as assessed by the investigator and patient) | At endpoint |
| Population kinetics | Plasma samples at weeks 2 and 6 in comparison with baseline |
| Changes in PANSS subscale scores and Marder factor scores | At weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 20, 28, 36, 44 and endpoint |
| Safety and tolerability: EPS (AIMS, BARS, SARS) | At weeks 1, 3, 6, 16, 24, 32, 40 and endpoint |
| Adverse Events | continuously and up to 7 days after endpoint |
| Pregnancy Test | At endpoint |
| Blood Test | At weeks 1, 3, 6, 16, 24, 32, 40 and endpoint |
| Weight and vital signs | at all assessment time points from baseline |
| ECGs | Weeks 3, 6, 24, and endpoint |
| Pharmacogenetics (as part of a global effort to investigate possible associations between genetic polymorphisms in relation to response to asenapine and related drugs and in relation to characteristics of schizophrenia and related conditions) | During the study period |
Outcome results
None listed