SchizophreniaPhase 2NCT06021197
NMDA-enhancing Treatment for Cognitive Dysfunction of Schizophrenia
A Phase 2 study testing NMDAE in people with Schizophrenia, run by China Medical University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
Trial summary
Cognitive impairment, the core psychopathology of schizophrenia, usually persists in schizophrenia patients even during symptomatic remission. While cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is an important therapeutic target, hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a key factor of… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Schizophrenia
- What is being tested?
- NMDAE
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTaiwan
- Study dates
- 12 Oct 2023to Mar 2028
- Phase
- Phase 2
- 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 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Have a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5 -TR) diagnosis of schizophrenia
- Fulfill the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) criteria for remission (Andreasen et al., 2005): each of eight items (delusions, unusual thought content, hallucinatory behavior, conceptual disorganization, mannerisms/posturing, blunted affect, passive/apathetic social withdrawal, and lack of spontaneity and flow of conversation) in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) (Kay et al., 1987) scoring 3 or lower for 6 months or longer; in addition, have a baseline total score of 59 or lower in the PANSS
- Are physically healthy and laboratory assessments (including blood routine, biochemical tests) are clinically insignificant;
- Have been keeping a fixed dose of antipsychotics (excluding clozapine) for at least 6 months, and that is not allowed to change during the 12-week study period
- Have sufficient education to communicate effectively and are capable of completing the assessments of the study
- Agree to participate in the study and provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- DSM-5-TR diagnosis of intellectual disability or substance (including alcohol) use disorder
- History of epilepsy, head trauma, or serious medical or central nervous system diseases (other than schizophrenia) which may interfere with the study
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Inability to follow protocol
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Taiwan1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University Hospital
Taichung
Hsien-Yuan Lane, M.D., Ph.D, 886 4 22052121 ext. 11855, hylane@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: NMDA-enhancing Treatment for Cognitive Dysfunction of Schizophrenia Patients During Symptomatic Remission
Cognitive impairment, the core psychopathology of schizophrenia, usually persists in schizophrenia patients even during symptomatic remission. While cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is an important therapeutic target, hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a key factor of CIAS. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of an NMDA-enhancer (NMDAE) for the treatment of CIAS in schizophrenia patients during symptomatic remission.
Read the detailed description
Cognitive impairment, the core psychopathology and the outcome determinant of schizophrenia, usually persists in schizophrenia patients even during symptomatic remission. Cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is an important therapeutic target; and hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a key factor of CIAS. Whether NMDAR-enhancing treatment can truly improve cognitive function needs to be tested in schizophrenia patients during symptomatic remission. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of an NMDA-enhancer (NMDAE) for the treatment of CIAS in schizophrenia patients during symptomatic remission.
The subjects are the patients with schizophrenia during symptomatic remission. They keep their original treatment and are randomly, double-blindly assigned into two treatment groups for 12 weeks: (1) NMDAE, or (2) placebo. At weeks 0 and 12, 7 cognitive domains will be measured. At weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, Global Assessment of Function, Quality of Life Scale, various clinical-symptom rating scales, and side effects scales will be measured too.
Chi-square (or Fisher's exact test) will be used to compare differences of categorical variables and t-test (or Mann-Whitney test if the distribution is not normal) for continuous variables between treatment groups. Mean changes from baseline in repeated-measure assessments will be assessed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). All p values for clinical measures will be based on two-tailed tests with a significance level of 0.05.
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia
- Being tested
- NMDAE, Placebo Cap
- Keywords
- Schizophrenia, NMDA, Symptomatic remission
- Medical subject headings
- Schizophrenia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
NMDAEDrug
Use of an NMDA enhancer for the treatment of CIAS
Placebo CapDrug
Use of placebo as a comparator
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| NMDAE | Experimental | An NMDA enhancer Receives: Drug: NMDAE |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Placebo Receives: Drug: Placebo Cap |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change of cognitive function composite
Ten tests for assessment of 7 cognitive domains:
- speed of processing (assessed by Category Fluency, Trail Marking A, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale(WAIS)-III Digit Symbol-Coding)
- sustained attention (Continuous Performance Test)
- working memory: verbal (digit span) and nonverbal (spatial span)
- verbal learning and memory (WMS-III, word listing)
- visual learning and memory (WMS-III, visual reproduction)
- reasoning and problem solving (WISC-III, Maze)
- social cognition (MSCEIT Version 2)
For the domain (a. and c.) with more than one test, a composite T score will be calculated by standardizing the average of each T score. Furthermore, a global composite score (for all seven domains) and a neurocognitive composite score (for the first 6 domains) will be also calculated by standardizing the average of the T score (Lane HY et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2013)
Measured: Week 0, 12
Secondary outcomes (2)
Change of Global Assessment of Functioning composite
Assessment of social, occupational, and psychological function. Minimum value: 1, maximum value:100, the higher scores mean better function.
Measured: week 0, 4, 8, 12
Change of Quality of Life Scale
Assessment of life quality. Minimum value: 0, maximum value:126, the higher scores mean a better outcome.
Measured: week 0, 4, 8, 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Sep 2023
- Study start12 Oct 2023
- Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMar 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for SchizophreniaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by China Medical University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06021197
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CMUH111-REC3-228
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Aug 2023
- Last updated
- 23 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- NMDA-enhancing Treatment for Cognitive Dysfunction of Schizophrenia Patients During Symptomatic Remission
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06021197
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CMUH111-REC3-228
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia
- Keywords
- Schizophrenia, NMDA, Symptomatic remission
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- China Medical University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan
- Study start
- 12 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Mar 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Cognitive impairment, the core psychopathology of schizophrenia, usually persists in schizophrenia patients even during symptomatic remission. While cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is an important therapeutic target, hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a key factor of CIAS. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of an NMDA-enhancer (NMDAE) for the treatment of CIAS in schizophrenia patients during symptomatic remission.
Detailed description
Cognitive impairment, the core psychopathology and the outcome determinant of schizophrenia, usually persists in schizophrenia patients even during symptomatic remission. Cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS) is an important therapeutic target; and hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a key factor of CIAS. Whether NMDAR-enhancing treatment can truly improve cognitive function needs to be tested in schizophrenia patients during symptomatic remission. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of an NMDA-enhancer (NMDAE) for the treatment of CIAS in schizophrenia patients during symptomatic remission.
The subjects are the patients with schizophrenia during symptomatic remission. They keep their original treatment and are randomly, double-blindly assigned into two treatment groups for 12 weeks: (1) NMDAE, or (2) placebo. At weeks 0 and 12, 7 cognitive domains will be measured. At weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, Global Assessment of Function, Quality of Life Scale, various clinical-symptom rating scales, and side effects scales will be measured too.
Chi-square (or Fisher's exact test) will be used to compare differences of categorical variables and t-test (or Mann-Whitney test if the distribution is not normal) for continuous variables between treatment groups. Mean changes from baseline in repeated-measure assessments will be assessed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). All p values for clinical measures will be based on two-tailed tests with a significance level of 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| NMDAE | Experimental | Drug: NMDAEAn NMDA enhancer |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: Placebo CapPlacebo |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Have a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5 -TR) diagnosis of schizophrenia
- Fulfill the Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) criteria for remission (Andreasen et al., 2005): each of eight items (delusions, unusual thought content, hallucinatory behavior, conceptual disorganization, mannerisms/posturing, blunted affect, passive/apathetic social withdrawal, and lack of spontaneity and flow of conversation) in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) (Kay et al., 1987) scoring 3 or lower for 6 months or longer; in addition, have a baseline total score of 59 or lower in the PANSS
- Are physically healthy and laboratory assessments (including blood routine, biochemical tests) are clinically insignificant;
- Have been keeping a fixed dose of antipsychotics (excluding clozapine) for at least 6 months, and that is not allowed to change during the 12-week study period
- Have sufficient education to communicate effectively and are capable of completing the assessments of the study
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- DSM-5-TR diagnosis of intellectual disability or substance (including alcohol) use disorder
- History of epilepsy, head trauma, or serious medical or central nervous system diseases (other than schizophrenia) which may interfere with the study
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Inability to follow protocol
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| NMDAEUse of an NMDA enhancer for the treatment of CIAS | Drug | NMDAE |
| Placebo CapUse of placebo as a comparator | Drug | Placebo |
Primary outcome
Change of cognitive function composite
Time frame: Week 0, 12
Ten tests for assessment of 7 cognitive domains: 1. speed of processing (assessed by Category Fluency, Trail Marking A, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale(WAIS)-III Digit Symbol-Coding) 2. sustained attention (Continuous Performance Test) 3. working memory: verbal (digit span) and nonverbal (spatial span) 4. verbal learning and memory (WMS-III, word listing) 5. visual learning and memory (WMS-III, visual reproduction) 6. reasoning and problem solving (WISC-III, Maze) 7. social cognition (MSCEIT Version 2) For the domain (a. and c.) with more than one test, a composite T score will be calculated by standardizing the average of each T score. Furthermore, a global composite score (for all seven domains) and a neurocognitive composite score (for the first 6 domains) will be also calculated by standardizing the average of the T score (Lane HY et al, JAMA Psychiatry 2013)
2 secondary outcomes
Change of Global Assessment of Functioning composite
Time frame: week 0, 4, 8, 12
Change of Quality of Life Scale
Time frame: week 0, 4, 8, 12
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Oct 2026.
Related trials for Schizophrenia
RecruitingPhase 3
A Study to Evaluate the Long-term Safety and Tolerability of Xanomeline and Trospium Chloride for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Schizophrenia, Autism-Related Irritability
Not yet recruiting
Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
Treatment Resistant Disorders
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Sleep Monitoring for Early Detection of Relapse in People With Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder Receiving Usual Treatment
Bipolar Disorder (BD), SCHIZOPHRENIA 1 (Disorder)
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
Pharmacokinetics and Relative Bioavailability of Intranasal vs Intramuscular Olanzapine in Healthy Adult Participants
Healthy Adult Participants
Active, not recruiting
Designing and Evaluating a Classroom-Based Mental Health Programme for Adolescents.
Mental Health Promotion
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 2 study testing NMDAE in people with Schizophrenia, run by China Medical University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.
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 6 inclusion and 4 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Oct 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 Taiwan. 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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.
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?
Contact Hsien-Yuan Lane, M.D., Ph.D (886 4 22052121 ext. 11855, hylane@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change of cognitive function composite (time frame: Week 0, 12). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 23 Oct 2026.