The purpose of this study is to test whether administration of levetiracetam (LEV), a commonly used anti-epileptic that alters neurotransmitter release, can reduce hippocampal hyperactivity. Specifically, we will utilize two functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques: 1) blood oxygen level dependence (BOLD) contrast will assess activity with a visual scene processing task that engages the anterior hippocampus and 2) arterial spin labeling (ASL) will assess baseline activity. This study will also assess whether patients have improvement in their symptoms after receiving LEV. Previous studies in people with psychotic disorders have shown that the hippocampus is hyperactive and more activity correlates with worsening of clinical symptoms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to use an intervention to further understand the underlying mechanisms of the hippocampus in psychosis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1
Levetiracetam (LEV) regulates neuronal synaptic exocytosis and calcium-induced neurotransmitter release and has a therapeutic effect on the excitation-inhibition balance of the hippocampus.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Hippocampal Activity (Arterial Spin Labeling [ASL] Study)
Change in ASL signal after drug administration
Time frame: 2 hours and 2 weeks after administration
Hippocampal Recruitment (BOLD Study)
Change in BOLD signal after drug administration
Time frame: 2 hours and 2 weeks after administration
Cognitive Symptoms
Change in eye-tracking relational memory task
Time frame: 2 weeks after administration
Positive and Negative Symptoms
Change PANSS score
Time frame: 2 weeks after administration
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