Network Dysfunction, Schizophrenia and Pharmacological Magnetic Resonance Imaging (phMRI)

Sponsor
Medical University of Vienna (Other)
Overall Status
Completed
CT.gov ID
NCT01394757
Collaborator
(none)
52
1
12
4.3

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Alterations of functional brain networks have been frequently demonstrated in schizophrenia, although the exact underlying molecular mechanisms remain unrevealed. Ketamine is known to exert its schizophrenia-like effects through modulation of the glutamatergic system, thus facilitating the investigation of the impact of this specific transmitter system on resting state functional brain networks. The aim of the study is therefore to use pharmacological functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (phMRI) to examine changes in brain networks involved in schizophrenia in response to ketamine application compared to placebo. 30 healthy subjects (15 females) will be examined twice using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover, counterbalanced-order design. Resting state fMRI will be investigated before, during and after either placebo or ketamine intravenous infusion for 20 minutes. Prior to the main trial 10 additional participants will be included in an open pilot trial.

Hypothesis: Ketamine application will induce changes in resting state networks previously associated with schizophrenia and in the connectivity of relevant brain regions such as the striatum, thalamus, caudate, hippocampus and amygdala. Furthermore, the application of ketamine will provoke changes in the BOLD-activation in three fMRI paradigms each performed before and after ketamine infusion.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Drug: Esketamine hydrochloride
N/A

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Actual Enrollment :
52 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Crossover Assignment
Masking:
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose:
Basic Science
Official Title:
Brain Network Dysfunction as a Model for Schizophrenia: Connectivity Alterations Using Ketamine and Pharmacological Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Study Start Date :
Aug 1, 2011
Actual Primary Completion Date :
Aug 1, 2012
Actual Study Completion Date :
Aug 1, 2012

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Ketamine-induced changes in BOLD-activity over time [1 year]

    participants will be measured twice and all participants are expected to be recruited and measured within 1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

  1. Change of task-induced BOLD-activity by ketamine application [60 minutes (before and after ketamine infusion) at each MRI session (interval between MRI scans: 1 week)]

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
18 Years to 55 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Yes
Inclusion Criteria:
  • general health based on history, physical examination, ECG, laboratory screening and structured clinical interview for DSM-IV(SCID)

  • willingness and competence to sign the informed consent form

  • aged 18 to 55 years

Exclusion Criteria:
  • any medical, psychiatric or neurological illness

  • current or former substance abuse

  • any implant or stainless steel graft and any other contraindications for MRI

  • pregnancy

  • first degree relatives with a history of psychiatric illness or substance abuse

  • failures to comply with the study protocol or to follow the instructions of the investigating team

  • lifetime use of antipsychotic drugs

  • treatment with psychotropic agents such as SSRIs within the last 6 months

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Site City State Country Postal Code
1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria 1090

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • Medical University of Vienna

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Rupert Lanzenberger, A/Prof., MD, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Additional Information:

Publications

None provided.
Responsible Party:
Rupert Lanzenberger, A/Prof. PD Dr., Medical University of Vienna
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT01394757
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • P14193ONB
  • 2010-022772-31
First Posted:
Jul 14, 2011
Last Update Posted:
Dec 31, 2013
Last Verified:
Dec 1, 2013
Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Dec 31, 2013