Quetiapine and the Dopaminergic Epigenetic Control
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
BACKGROUND:
Epigenetic modifications such as DNA-methylation and histone acetylation are known to be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Aim of the present study is to investigate
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whether differences in the methylation pattern of the promoters of dopaminergic genes exist between schizophrenic patients and healthy controls and
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whether treatment with the second generation antipsychotic quetiapine leads to changes in the methylation pattern of those genes in patients suffering from schizophrenia.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:
50 male patients and 50 male controls are to be enrolled into the study. Patients will be treated with quetiapine for 3 weeks. Blood samples will be drawn before treatment and after three weeks to measure DNA-methylation status. Clinical characterisation includes PANSS, AIMS, BDI. Healthy probands will not be treated.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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Phase 4 |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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Experimental: A There is only one arm in this study. All probands receive quetiapine. |
Drug: Quetiapine fumarate
Dosage and frequency are judged by the study physician. The dosage must not excess 800mg/d.
Other Names:
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Primary variable is the amount of methylated vs. unmethylated promoter specific DNA in the DAT gene of patients before and after treatment with quetiapine (within group comparison). [6 month]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion criteria:
For inclusion in the study subjects must fulfil all of the following criteria:
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Provision of written informed consent
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A diagnosis of schizophrenia by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)
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Able to understand and comply with the requirements of the study
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Age 18 - 65 years
Exclusion criteria:
Any of the following is regarded as a criterion for exclusion from the study:
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Any DSM-IV Axis I disorder not defined in the inclusion criteria
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Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, pose an imminent risk of suicide or a danger to self or others
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Known intolerance or lack of response to quetiapine fumarate, as judged by the investigator
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Use of any of the following cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in the 14 days preceding enrolment including but not limited to: ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, fluvoxamine and saquinavir
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Use of any of the following cytochrome P450 inducers in the 14 days preceding enrollment including but not limited to: phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, rifampin, St. John's Wort, and glucocorticoids
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Administration of a depot antipsychotic injection within one dosing interval (for the depot) before inclusion
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Substance or alcohol dependence at enrolment (except dependence in full remission, and except for caffeine or nicotine dependence), as defined by DSM-IV criteria
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Opiates, amphetamine, barbiturate, cocaine, cannabis, or hallucinogen abuse by DSM-IV criteria within 4 weeks prior to enrolment
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Medical conditions that would affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of study treatment
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Unstable or inadequately treated medical illness (e.g. diabetes, angina pectoris, hypertension) as judged by the investigator
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Involvement in the planning and conduct of the study
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Previous enrolment in the present study.
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Participation in another drug trial within 4 weeks prior enrolment into this study or longer in accordance with local requirements
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Actual treatment with clozapine or clozapine treatment during the previous three month. Other antipsychotic drugs will be allowed, if intake can be terminated during the two day wash out period.
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Previous history of major head injuries or neurological disorders
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Intake of homocysteine lowering vitamins (folate, B12, B6)
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Renal failure
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Intake of nutritional derivatives which influence epigenetic patterns (butyrate from milk products, tea polyphenol or epigallo-catechin-3-gallate which inhibits DNMT)
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
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1 | Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Erlangen-Nuremberg | Erlangen | Germany | 91054 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School
- AstraZeneca
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Stefan Bleich, MD, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- D1449L00029
- EudraCT-Nr: 2005-006151-20