Schizoaffective, Schizophrenia
Conditions
Keywords
Positron emission tomography
Brief summary
This study will examine changes in synaptic density with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Synaptic density levels will be measured using a novel positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer \[18F\]SDM-8, which is currently the best-in-class method to quantify synaptic density in humans. This will be a companion study to a parent study by our group examining the effects of tDCS on treatment adherence in schizophrenia (REB #103-2018).
Detailed description
The aim of our study is to examine if tDCS induces synaptic density changes in patients with schizophrenia using \[18F\]SDM-8. Our study will help elucidate the mechanism through which tDCS affects the brain. PET scans will be offered to participants that meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria at the initial screening visit. Participants will be scanned with the novel PET tracer \[18F\]SDM-8 to quantify synaptic density levels. PET scans will be timed to coincide to the two time-points, before and after 2-weeks of tDCS treatment that is completed under the parent study protocol (REB #103-2018). Clinical assessments will be done at the same time.
Interventions
OTHERPET Scan
Participants will undergo two PET scans throughout the study.
Sponsors
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Enrolment in the tDCS-adherence parent study (REB# 103-2018). The parent study inclusion criteria are: 1. Male or female participants of any race or ethnicity 2. Inpatients or outpatients ≥18 years of age 3. DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder 4. Capable of consenting to participate in the research study 5. On a stable dose of oral antipsychotic drug and other concomitant medications for at least 2 months, and unlikely to undergo changes in dose during the study.
Exclusion criteria
The
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Synaptic density changes | PET scans will be timed to coincide to the two time-points, before and after 2-weeks of tDCS treatment that is completed under the parent study protocol (REB #103-2018) | The primary outcome measure is the \[18F\]SDM-8 standard uptake value (SUV) and distribution volume ratio (DVR) in cortical and subcortical gray matter regions, measured by PET Scans |
Countries
Canada
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORPhilip Gerretsen, MD, PhD
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Outcome results
None listed