The purpose of this study is to test the effect of modafinil on the negative symptoms, such as blunted affect and social withdrawal, of schizophrenic patients and to determine modafinil's effect on excessive daytime sleepiness. A secondary purpose of the study is to examine the effect of modafinil on cognitive functioning of schizophrenic patients.
Twenty six male patients with schizophrenia (twelve with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and twelve without) will be enrolled at the San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Modafinil has been shown to increase alertness in individuals who are pathologically sleepy (Study C1538a/301/NAIUS). Subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio, stratified by excessive daytime sleepiness (value of \>=9 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Subjects will receive either modafinil or placebo, supplied by the sponsor. The study drug will be taken by mouth once daily in the morning. The titration schedule will be as follows: 1. The beginning does will be 50mg for 2 weeks 2. The study medication will be increased to 100mg at the week 2 study visit 3. The study medication will be increased to 200mg at the week 4 study visit and will continue for the remaining 4 weeks of the study. If subjects are unable to tolerate dosage increases, the dose will be decreased to the previous level.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
26
VA Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry
San Diego, California, United States
PANSS, and Sleep/wake activity measured using the Actillume (Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc.)
Time frame: baseline, one month, two months
Neuropsychological Assessments that target cognitive abilities.
Time frame: baseline, one month, two months
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