The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between glutamate and related brain chemicals and treatment response to clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
This study will be a prospective proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS) study designed to compare the levels of glutamate, glutamine, glx, and glutathione in age- and gender- matched patients with poor response to clozapine (URS), patients with good response to clozapine (non-URS), and healthy controls. Participants with schizophrenia who fail to respond to optimal treatment with at least two different non-clozapine antipsychotics (i.e. treatment-resistant schizophrenia \[TRS\]) and who are starting clozapine as part of their clinical care will be recruited. A sample of healthy controls will also be recruited. Participants with TRS will have two 1H-MRS scans. The 1H-MRS scan will be performed within 1 week and 12 weeks after clozapine initiation. Clinical assessments will be performed within 1 week of each 1H-MRS scan and after 6 weeks of clozapine treatment. Cognitive assessments will also be performed within 1 week of 1H-MRS scans. Healthy controls will also undergo two 1H-MRS scans with a 12-week interval. Cognitive assessments will also be performed within 1 week of 1H-MRS scans.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
108
Patient participants will be starting clozapine as part of their clinical care.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Change in 1H-MRS glutamatergic metabolites before and after clozapine.
1H-MRS will be employed to quantify glutamatergic metabolites, specifically glutamate, glutamine, glx and glutathione.
Time frame: Change from baseline (pre-clozapine) of 1H-MRS glutamatergic metabolites at 12 weeks
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