Antipsychotic (AP) medications are currently the cornerstone of treatment for schizophrenia (SCZ), with off-label prescription rapidly increasing in youth, with an established two-fold increase in standardized mortality ratio attributable to cardiovascular disease in this population. However, APs have been associated with common and serious metabolic adverse effects including weight gain and diabetes, to which youth are disproportionally vulnerable. The Gut Microbiome (GMB) has been suggested as a potential target warranting further study as a mechanism of AP induced weight gain and has also been linked directly with cognition and behavior. It is hypothesized that there will be changes in the gut microbiome overtime with treatment correlated with metabolic measures and that APs will produce changes in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, adipokines, glucagon like peptide (GLP)-1, lipids, fasting glucose, body weight, and cognition.
The objectives of the study are to examine the gut microbiome composition and diversity in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other specified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder at 6 weeks and 3 months post antipsychotic initiation. Furthermore, the team aims to investigate causality of antipsychotic (AP)-induced changes in the GMB in relation to metabolic changes. This will be accomplished by transplanting human gut microbiota from patients initiating an AP treatment into germ-free mice (independent animal protocol). The final objective is to observe changes in cognition associated with changes in metabolic factors and gut microbiome. The hypotheses of the study are twofold: the primary hypothesis is that there will be changes in the gut microbiome overtime with treatment correlated with metabolic measures (i.e. weight, insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, lipids) due to treatment in antipsychotic naïve patients, and the gut microbiome of treated patients transplanted into germ-free mice will induce similar metabolic proving causality (separate animal protocol). The secondary hypothesis is that APs will produce changes psychopathology and cognitive outcome measures which will correlate with changes in gutmicrobiome. Participants will include individuals who are either antipsychotic naïve or have not taken antipsychotics for at least 3 months prior to study participation. Participants will be between 12 and 35 years of age with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or other specified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder, as per DSM-V criteria. Participants will be enrolled to reach n=25 complete data sets. Participants who drop out or who are withdrawn will be replaced. Following provision of written informed consent, participants will be assessed for suitability for inclusion in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants will be seen across 5 timepoints, including a screening and baseline visit, as well as 3 follow-up appointments. Within-group analyses will be conducted to evaluate changes in participants at different time points on measures including anthropometric measures, clinical scales, and fasting bloodwork results. Microbiome analysis will include α-diversity metrics for each sample and β-diversity measures (weighted and unweighted unifrac, Specifically we will analyze changes in the microbiome pre- and post- antipsychotic treatment and whether changes in the microbiome associate with other clinical and biochemical measures. We will also determine whether patients that develop metabolic side effects with antipsychotic treatment have different microbial profiles than those who do not develop these side effects. Whole body insulin sensitivity is calculated based on the original description by Matsuda at baseline and endpoint. HOMA-IR will be calculated at baseline, week 6, and week 12 to determine change in insulin resistance over time. A blood sample will be collected for DNA extraction to examine for the genes that that are hypothesized to be associated to response or side effects following antipsychotic medication. Fecal DNA analyses will be completed at McMaster University. Stool samples will be collected from participants at baseline, weeks 3 and 6. Participants will be given stool collection kits (OMNIgene•GUT, DNA Genotek Ottawa, ON). Participants will return the sample at their earliest convenience. Once returned, samples will be immediately frozen and stored at -80°C.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
25
No intervention administered.
Centre For Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Change in Gut microbiome and DNA
Patients will collect fecal samples at home using our well-established protocol at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Participants will be provided a kit containing a sterile specimen container and a cooling pad, as well as a stool collection tube for DNA analyses (OMNIgene•GUT, DNA Genotek Ottawa, ON). Patients will be instructed to transfer several grams of the feces into the specimen container and place the sample in the 2 bioharzard bags and then store in the freezer. On the day of their appointment they will transport the sample on the cooling pad (previously placed in the freezer) to their appointment. When the patient delivers the sample to the research staff, it will be immediately placed in a -80ºC freezer prior to being analyzed. These analyses with fecal samples will be conducted at McMaster University at the Farncombe Family Institute.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Oral glucose tolerance test
Following collection of baseline samples, a standard glucose drink (75mg) is given orally, and a blood sample of insulin and glucose is obtained exactly 1 hour and 2 hours after the standard glucose drink is administered. Blood will be drawn at a total of 4 time points. Serums which will be collected during this procedure include fasting glucose; fasting insulin; leptin, fasting free fatty-acids, c-peptide, cortisol; Glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon inhibitory peptide (GIP),cytokines, ghrelin related to weight gain and glucose metabolism.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline and week 12)
Height
Height (cm) will be collected at the initial study visit
Time frame: 12 weeks
Weight
Weight (kg) will be collected at each study visit
Time frame: 12 weeks
Blood pressure
Blood pressure will be measured at each study visit (sys/dia)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Heart Rate
Heart rate will be measured at each study visit (BPM)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Waist Circumference
Waist circumference (cm) will be measured at each study visit
Time frame: 12 weeks
BMI
BMI (kg/m\^2) will be calculated at each study visit
Time frame: 12 weeks
Prolactin
Prolactin levels will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Liver enzymes
Liver enzymes including ALT (unit/L), ALP (unit/L), and AST (unit/L) will be collected via bloodwork.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Bilirubin
Bilirubin (mcmol/L) values will be collected via bloodwork.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
GGT
GGT (unit/L) values will be collected via bloodwork.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Albumin
Albumin (g/L) values will be collected via bloodwork.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
HbA1c
HbA1c will be collected via bloodwork.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Fasting blood work
Fasting bloodwork values including lipids (mmol/L), glucose (mmol/L), AAP serum levels (mmol/L), and electrolytes (mmol/L) will be collected via bloodwork.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
CBC
CBC values will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
TSH (mIU/L) values will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Insulin
Insulin (pmol/L) values will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Leptin
Leptin values will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Free Fatty Acids (FFA)
FFA values will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
C-peptide
C-peptide (ng/mL) values will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Cortisol
Cortisol (mcg/dL) values will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
DNA
DNA will be collected via blood work.
Time frame: Baseline measure
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale 18 item (BPRS)
The BPRS is a rater administered interview evaluating psychiatric symptoms. Total scores range between 18 and 126, with higher scores indicating greater severity of symptoms. Total scores are calculated by adding all individual item scores.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
The Positive and Negative Symptom Questionnaire (SANS)
The SANS is a rater administered interview evaluating positive and negative symptoms in psychosis. Total scores range from 0 to 110, with higher scores indicating greater severity of symptoms.Total scores are calculated by adding all individual item scores.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Clinical Global Impression (CGI)
The CGI is a rater-observed measure which evaluates overall mental illness severity. The score ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater severity of symptoms.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS)
The CDSS is a rater administered interview evaluating the presence and severity of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating a greater severity. Total scores are calculated by adding all individual item scores.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Quality of Life Scale (QLS)
The QLS is a questionnaire measuring the functioning of outpatient schizophrenia patients and measures the quality of relationships, occupational roles, and personal experiences. Subscale scores include Interpersonal Relations (range 0-72), Instrumental Role (range 0-36), Intrapsychic Function (range 0-63), Common Objects and Activities (range 0-18). The total score is then calculated by adding all the individual items together for a total score range of between 0-189. Higher scores across all variables indicate poorer quality of life. Total scores are calculated by adding all individual item scores.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Birchwood Social Functioning Scale (BSFS)
The BSFS is a scale used to measure quality of social functioning. Subscales include Social Engagement/Withdrawal (range 0-15), Interpersonal Communication (range 0-9), Independence-Performance (range 0-39), Recreation (range 0-45), Prosocial (range 0-66), Independence-Competence (range 0-39), and Occupation/Employment (range 0-10). Higher scores indicate better social functioning. Scores are calculated by adding all individual item scores.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
UKU Side Effects Scale
A rater-administered evaluation of side-effects related to psychopharmacological drugs. Ratings are given on a scale of 0-3, with higher scores indicating greater severity. An overall score, assigned by rater impression, is given to indicate overall incapacity due to side-effects.
Time frame: 12 weeks (all time points)
Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
A rater-administered evaluation of tardive dyskinesia. Scores are assigned across 3 categories including facial and oral movement, extremity movement, and trunk movement. There are no subscale scores however a global rating is given from a range of 0-4 based on the average of the categorical ratings, with higher scores indicated greater severity.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 12)
Barnes Akathisia Scale (BAS)
A rater-administered evaluation of akathisia. A rating of 0-3 is given for objective and subjective awareness of fidgeting, respectively, as well as for distress related to movement. A global score, as calculated on the average of all individual scores, is assigned on a scale of 0-5.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 12)
Simpson Angus Scale (SAS)
A rater-administered evaluation of extrapyramidal symptoms. Scores range from normal (score 0-3), minimal degree of movement disorder (score 3-5), clinically significant degree of movement disorder (score 6-11), and severe degree of movement disorder (score 12-17). Items are rated individually (i.e. no composite score).
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 12)
Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ)
A self-administered rating of food cravings and eating behaviours, both trait and state. A total score is calculated by adding all scores together. Higher scores indicate heightened trait and or state behaviour.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
A self-administered rating of food cravings where participants mark on a continuum . The location of the mark is then measured (cm) for each item. Some items are reverse scored so individual items need to be reviewed for context. Only individual item scores are assigned (i.e. no total score assigned).
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
Harvard Youth/Adolescent Questionnaire (YAQ)
A self-administered food frequency questionnaire designed for older children and adolescents. Individuals scores are evaluated for nutritional breakdown. This is a qualitative self-report assessment.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6, week 12)
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)
A rater administered questionnaire evaluating health-related physical activity. A composite score is calculated by combining subscale scores of walking, moderate and vigorous physical activity, and the score is categorized into "low", "medium", or "high" physical activity category.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline and week 12)
MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery
An evaluation of key cognitive domains relevant to individuals with schizophrenia
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline and week 12)
Investigation of Mental Rotation, Allocentricity-Egocentricity, and Perspective Taking (IMAP)
An evaluation of the ability of participants to take perspective from an egocentric or allocentric point of view and to rotate mentally the stimulus or their point of view. Participants are rated on accuracy and reaction time.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline and week 12)
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