This study plans to learn more about the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on brain activity and cognition in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Levetiracetam is an anti-seizure drug, also called an anticonvulsant.
Cognitive symptoms are not currently well-managed in Veterans with schizophrenia, leading to substantially diminished quality of life. Improved treatment strategies clearly are needed. Recent studies suggest taht an overactive hippocampus is associated with cognitive deficits in the illness. Based on findings that the anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV) reduces hippocampal activity and improves cognition in other clinical populations while being safe and well-tolerated, this study will examine the effects of the drug on hippocampal activity and cognition in Veterans with schizophrenia. In this crossover design, participants will take LEV for 4 weeks and placebo pills for 4 weeks, but will not know the order in which they are taking them.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
67
Anticonvulsant drug
Placebo
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Neurocognitive Function
Cognitive function as measured by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neurological Status (RBANS; total score). Scores are scaled with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15 (higher scores indicating better outcome).
Time frame: 4 weeks
Resting-state Neuronal Response
Neuronal response (measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging, fMRI) in the hippocampus during rest.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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