AzTrials
AzTrials

SchizophreniaPhase 1NCT03781115

Proposal To Develop A Rapid And Cost-Effective Diagnostic Test For Schizophrenia

A Phase 1 study testing Ziprasidone and Olanzapine in people with Schizophrenia, run by University of Arizona at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic illness of unknown cause that affects 1% of the population worldwide. Currently, there is no diagnostic test for schizophrenia. Instead, the diagnosis is typically established through a psychiatric interview of the patient, who is evaluated against a set of established criteria of… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Schizophrenia
What is being tested?
Ziprasidone and Olanzapine
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
24 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
20 Nov 2017to 10 Feb 2027
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Be between 18 and 40 years of age
  • Be able to understand English
  • Have no history of psychosis
  • Have no history of sleep apnea, heart condition or seizure
  • Have no known drug allergies
  • The ability to swallow a pill
Show all 17Show fewer
  • Be between 18 and 40 years of age
  • Be able to understand English
  • Have been diagnosed with a Schizophrenia Spectrum or other psychotic disorder
  • Belong to one of three groups:
  • Never medicated patients with a first episode of psychosis
  • Have not received long acting injectable (depot) antipsychotic in previous 6 months
  • Have not received oral antipsychotic (or antidepressant that has serotonergic action) in previous 2 weeks
  • Have no history of sleep apnea, heart condition or seizure
  • Have no known drug allergies
  • Be able to swallow a pill
  • Healthy as determined by the enrolling physician(s)

Who cannot join

  • Refuse to sign the consent form
  • Drink caffeine or alcohol within 24 hours of the study
  • Have the EKG readout report borderline or abnormal ECG
  • Have the 12 panel urine drug screen show a positive result
  • Be pregnant
  • Refuse to sign the consent form
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Drink caffeine or alcohol within 24 hours of the study
  • Have the EKG readout report borderline or abnormal ECG
  • Have the 12 panel urine drug screen show a positive result
  • Be pregnant

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Banner University Medical Center

    Phoenix, Arizona, 85006

Other trials in United States

About this study

Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic illness of unknown cause that affects 1% of the population worldwide. Currently, there is no diagnostic test for schizophrenia. Instead, the diagnosis is typically established through a psychiatric interview of the patient, who is evaluated against a set of established criteria of signs and symptoms. It can take many months to years to establish a diagnosis of schizophrenia and achieve an appropriate treatment regimen to attain resolution of the patient's symptoms. This process is particularly challenging in areas of limited access to specialists a problem not only in third world countries and rural regions, but throughout the United States where there can be long waits to obtain an appointment with a psychiatrist. The present research experiment investigates a potential novel method for diagnosing schizophrenia.

The overall objective of the study is to test the hypothesis that patients with schizophrenia will have a heightened tolerance to the sedating effects of anti-psychotic medications, which will be reflected in differences in their electroencephalogram (EEG) when compared to healthy normal controls. The investigators expect that the schizophrenia patients will score on the "more alert" and "less sleepy" ends of these scales, and that the normal control subjects will show the opposite response. A patient that fails to become sedated or experience the sleepiness side effects, typically caused by the anti-psychotic medication, may support the existing diagnosis of schizophrenia. Measures of the subjects' level of sedation that are found to correlate significantly with EEG response and diagnosis will be used to create a diagnostic test. This simple and inexpensive test will consist of a single dosage of anti-psychotic medication, and a rapid assessment tool with scores that have a high degree of predictive validity for the diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Read the detailed description

The overall objective of the study is to test the hypothesis that patients with schizophrenia will have a heightened tolerance to the sedating effects of antipsychotic medications, which will be reflected in differences in the participants' electroencephalogram response (EEG), when compared to healthy control participants.The following Specific Aims are designed to test this hypothesis and create the diagnostic tool.

Specific Aim 1: The investigators will first conduct a pilot dose-response evaluation of the anti-psychotic drugs ziprasidone (Geodon) (20, 40, or 60 mg tablet) and olanzapine (Zyprexa®) (2.5, 5, 7.5, or 10 mg tablet) in non-psychiatric ill control participants to determine the optimal dosage that promotes sedation in healthy participants versus a placebo. The evaluation will comprise a physical examination and questionnaires. The investigators will start with the lowest dose of each drug and if the dosage fails to induce sedation in healthy participants, the investigators will repeat the pilot dose-response evaluation with the next higher dose until the maximum dose is reached for both drugs. Specific Aim 2. To determine whether the pattern of EEG activity in response to a single dose of the anti-psychotic medication determined from the dose-response study from Aim 1 distinguishes schizophrenia participants from normal controls. The investigators will start with 2-4 healthy control participants to determine that the results show a discernible effect on the EEG using the dosage from Aim 1. If the dose of anti-psychotic medication fails to show an effect on the EEG the investigators will increase the dosage until the maximum dosage of the chosen medication is used. Once the dosage is identified the investigators will move onto getting IRB approval to evaluate participants diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Conditions
Schizophrenia
Being tested
Ziprasidone, Olanzapine, Placebo Comparator
Keywords
schizophrenia, psychosis, ziprasidone, olanzapine
Medical subject headings
Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • ZiprasidoneDrug

    Also called Geodon

    anti-psychotic drug proposed for use as rapid diagnostic tool

  • OlanzapineDrug

    Also called Zyprexa

    anti-psychotic drug proposed for use as rapid diagnostic tool

  • Placebo ComparatorDrug

    Also called Placebo Oral Capsule

    A non drug oral placebo capsule will be given as a control

Study groups in NCT03781115
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
ZiprasidoneExperimentalThe investigators will conduct a pilot dose-response evaluation of a single dose of the anti-psychotic drug ziprasidone (Geodon). The investigators will start with a single 20mg pill given to (3) subjects and will increase the dosage in sequential subjects until the desired sedation effect is achieved (i.e. 40 and 60mg tablets). If Ziprasidone causes the desired sedation effect additional healthy subjects will be recruited to take the medication and have an electroencephalogram (EEG) taken.
Receives: Drug: Ziprasidone; Drug: Olanzapine; Drug: Placebo Comparator
OlanzapineExperimentalThe investigators will conduct a pilot dose-response evaluation of a single dose of the anti-psychotic drug olanzapine (Zyprexa). The investigators will start with a single 2.5 mg pill given to (3) subjects and will increase the dosage in sequential subjects until the desired sedation effect is achieved (i.e. 5, 7.5, and 10 mg tablets).If olanzapine causes the desired sedation effect additional healthy subjects will be recruited to take the medication and have an electroencephalogram (EEG).
Receives: Drug: Olanzapine; Drug: Placebo Comparator
Placebo ComparatorPlacebo comparatorThe investigators have prepared a placebo which duplicates the exact color and size of the study drug capsule to use as a non-drug control.
Receives: Drug: Ziprasidone; Drug: Placebo Comparator

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Heart Rate

    Evaluating the heart rate of the subject every hour during all the test procedures

    Measured: up to 2 years

  2. Pulse Rate

    Evaluating the pulse rate of the subject every hour during all the test procedures

    Measured: up to 2 years

  3. Stanford Sleepiness Scale

    The subject will rate how sleepy they are feeling at baseline and every hour during the test using an (8) point scale (i.e. 1= feeling active, vital alert, or wide awake; 2= functioning at high levels, but not fully alert; 3= awake, but relaxed, responsive but not fully alert; 4= somewhat foggy, let down; 5= foggy, losing interest in remaining awake, slowed down; 6= sleepy, woozy, fighting sleep, prefer to lay down; 7= no longer fighting sleep, sleep onset soon, having dream-like thoughts; 8= asleep

    Measured: up to 2 years

  4. Epworth Sleepiness Scale

    The subject will rate their pre-test sleepiness only once during the test using a (4) point scale (0= no chance of dosing, 1= slight chance of dosing, 2= moderate chance of dozing and 3= high chance of dozing

    Measured: up to 2 years

  5. Fatigue Severity Scale

    The subject will rate their pre-test fatigue only once during the test by rating 10 questions using a slide scale between 1 and 7. A rating of 1 means the subject strongly disagrees with the statement. A rating of 7 means the subject strongly agrees with the statement.

    Measured: up to 2 years

  6. Chalder Fatigue Scale

    Subjects will rate their fatigue every hour and at baseline by answering 11 questions and rating their fatigue using a 4 point scale (i.e. less than usual, no more than usual, more than usual and much more than usual)

    Measured: up to 2 years

  7. Psychomotor physical computerized test

    The participants uses a computerized test to test their reflexes every hour and at baseline during the trial period. Every time a red dot appears in the middle of the screen the participant must touch the computer screen as fast as they can. This test was measured in how fast they responded (ms) and by how many attempts to touch the screen were recorded in 2 minutes

    Measured: up to 2 years

  8. Hand Fatigue Scale

    A hand grip measuring device will be used to test for fatigue. A small hand held device will measure the participants hand grip strength every hour during the test and at baseline.

    Measured: up to 2 years

  9. Electroencephalogram

    Electroencephalogram will be taken at baseline and after subjects have taken the anti-psychotic medication. There will be no placebo taken for this test.

    Measured: up to 2 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted19 Dec 2018
  2. Study start20 Nov 2017
  3. Primary completion10 Feb 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion10 Feb 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
The investigators will first conduct a dose-response evaluation of the anti-psychotic drug ziprasidone (Geodon) (20, 40, or 60 mg tablet) or olanzapine (Zyprexa®) (2.5, 5, 7.5, or 10 mg tablet) in non-psychiatric ill control individuals to determine the dosage that promotes sedation in individuals versus a placebo. The evaluation will comprise a physical examination, drug/pregnancy screenings and sleepiness questionnaires. Once the dosage of the anti-psychotic medication is determined new healthy subjects will be recruited to ingest the medication and have an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording taken. If the dosage of medication does not show an effect on the EEG the investigators will ask the individual to come back on a different day so the next higher dose of medication can be given. Once a the healthy subject's EEG shows an effect new control subjects and individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia will be recruited.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
24 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03781115
Sponsor's protocol ID
1612051594
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
13 Oct 2017
Last updated
8 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Cutler NR. Pharmacokinetic studies of antipsychotics in healthy volunteers versus patients. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;62 Suppl 5:10-3; discussion 23-4.

    PubMed 11305842
  • Gallitano-Mendel A, Izumi Y, Tokuda K, Zorumski CF, Howell MP, Muglia LJ, Wozniak DF, Milbrandt J. The immediate early gene early growth response gene 3 mediates adaptation to stress and novelty. Neuroscience. 2007 Sep 7;148(3):633-43. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.05.050. Epub 2007 Aug 9.

    PubMed 17692471
  • Gallitano-Mendel A, Wozniak DF, Pehek EA, Milbrandt J. Mice lacking the immediate early gene Egr3 respond to the anti-aggressive effects of clozapine yet are relatively resistant to its sedating effects. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2008 May;33(6):1266-75. doi: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301505. Epub 2007 Jul 18.

    PubMed 17637609
  • Williams AA, Ingram WM, Levine S, Resnik J, Kamel CM, Lish JR, Elizalde DI, Janowski SA, Shoker J, Kozlenkov A, Gonzalez-Maeso J, Gallitano AL. Reduced levels of serotonin 2A receptors underlie resistance of Egr3-deficient mice to locomotor suppression by clozapine. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2012 Sep;37(10):2285-98. doi: 10.1038/npp.2012.81. Epub 2012 Jun 13.

    PubMed 22692564
  • Selvaraj S, Arnone D, Cappai A, Howes O. Alterations in the serotonin system in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of postmortem and molecular imaging studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2014 Sep;45:233-45. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.06.005. Epub 2014 Jun 24.

    PubMed 24971825
  • Everson G, Lasseter KC, Anderson KE, Bauer LA, Carithens RL Jr, Wilner KD, Johnson A, Anziano RJ, Smolarek TA, Turncliff RZ. The pharmacokinetics of ziprasidone in subjects with normal and impaired hepatic function. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2000;49 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):21S-26S. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2125.2000.00149.x.

    PubMed 10771450
  • Albaugh VL, Singareddy R, Mauger D, Lynch CJ. A double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study of the acute metabolic effects of olanzapine in healthy volunteers. PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e22662. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022662. Epub 2011 Aug 9.

    PubMed 21857944

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Ziprasidone and Olanzapine in people with Schizophrenia, run by University of Arizona at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 17 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Heart Rate (time frame: up to 2 years). The study lists 9 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03781115, which also lists 7 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jul 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in