Optimizing and Individualizing the Pharmacological Treatment of First-episode Schizophrenic Patients

Overview

The study is performed in 20 different hospitals from 19 cities in China. Three sub-projects are included. About sub-project 1, we build a clinical database system and a biological sample bank for data and samples management, which is applicable in other hospitals in this project. 1800 first-episode schizophrenia patients will be recruited in 19 sites and randomized into 6 treatment groups (olanzapine, risperidone, aripiprazole, ziprasidone, amisulpride, haloperidol). Through 8-week treatment and follow-up, we collect multidimensional indexes from psychopathology, neuropsychology, brain imaging, physiology, biochemistry, and life stress data. The summarized data is analyzed to screen potential biomarkers or biomarker panel that may predict the antipsychotic response, and ultimately to establish a prediction model.Sub-project 2, as an extension of sub-project 1, includes verification of the prediction model established in sub-project 1 and optimization of the current therapy with add-on treatment. Firstly, the validation process of the prediction model undergoes with an independent patient cohort. Next, we apply the add-on treatment to the patients who don't have ideal response to antipsychotic treatment after 8-week treatment. According to the results above, we manage to construct an optimized and individualized therapy for schizophrenia.In the end,We tend to conduct a randomized double-blind controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination strategy for antipsychotic-induced metabolism syndrome, which includes metformin and lifestyle intervention. In the meanwhile, for schizophrenia patients at high-risk of metabolic syndrome, we tend to establish a prevention strategy expected to reduce or delay the occurrence of metabolic syndrome, which includes low-dose metformin and lifestyle intervention. We hope to successfully construct a comprehensive intervention strategy on metabolic syndrome induced by antipsychotic medications.

For sub-project1 and 2:Inclusion criteria: Participants are ineligible to enter the trial under the following conditions: 1) Participants must be aged 18 to 65 years old who meet the criteria for schizophrenia diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5) or International Classification of Diseases- tenth edition (ICD-10); 2) participants are in current episode of psychotic symptoms with a disease course less than 3 years and intermission less than 6 months; 3). there is at least 1 guardian to accompany patient within 1 year; 4). Participants and their guardians must sign an Informed Consent Form (ICF) indicating that they understand the purpose of and procedures required for the study and are willing to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria (any potential paticipant who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participating in the study): 1). Participants with known or suspected clinically unstable systemic medical disorder; 2). participant has a current or prior DSM-5/ ICD-10 diagnosis of substance use disorder, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, dementia or severe cognitive impairment; 3). planning to be pregnant, pregnancy or breast-feeding; 4). currently enrolled in another clinical trial. For sub-project 3:The diagnostic criteria for Paticipants who develop metabolic syndrome: A. body mass index ≥ 25.0kg / m2; B. hyperglycemia: fasting blood glucose ≥ 110mg/dl (6.1mmol/l) and / or plasma glucose ≥ 140mg/dl(7.8mmol/l) after glucose load; and / or those who have been diagnosed with diabetes and received treatment; C. hypertension: systolic blood pressure (SBP) / diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 140/90mmHg, and / or those who have been diagnosed as hypertension and received treatment; D. dyslipidemia: at fasting state, total cholesterol (TG) ≥ 150 mg/dl (1.7mmol/l); and / or HDL-C: male \< 35mg/dl (0.9mmol/l), female \< 39mg/dl (1.0mmol/l) . The inclusive criteria for patients at high-risk of MetS: A. paticipants are taking antipsychotic drugs that significantly affect metabolisms, such as olanzapine, clozapine or risperidone; B. paticipants have family history of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease; C. the age of paticipants is over 40 years old; D. paticipants have no nonalcoholic fatty liver and gout; E. paticipants who have one or two components of metabolic syndrome but do not meet the diagnostic criteria. For clinical and biological data collection, we collect blood samples and case information, which contains demographic data, medical history (including current medical history, past history, personal history and family history), medication regimen and results of follow-up evaluation. The biological samples are stored using unique code whose storage information can be linked to research case in the web server. The Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) are followed for data collection, storage, tracking, and utilization. Professional technicians are employed for the establishment and subsequent maintenance of Internet platform, including web server and mobile terminal applications (APP). Ancillary researchers are involved for collection and timely upload of case information online. Principal investigators are responsible for auditing the data and quality control.