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Schizophrenia and the Gut Microbiome

Completed
Conditions
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizophrenia
Registration Number
NCT02921243
Lead Sponsor
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Brief Summary

In a sample of 20 inpatients with a DSM-IV-TR/DSM 5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, investigators propose to conduct a prospective, 2 week observational trial to collect gastrointestinal stool samples in order to characterize the microbiota in people with schizophrenia and examine its variability over time. Participants may elect to participate for an additional two weeks, during which they will receive the prebiotic, oligofructose-enriched inulin (FOS), in order to examine its effects on the relative preponderance of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut microbiome. Investigators will use an inpatient sample in order to standardize meals, exercise and environmental mediators. This is considered a feasibility, pilot study in order to apply for future grant funding. Investigators will recruit patients from the Treatment Research Program inpatient unit, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
11
Inclusion Criteria
  1. DSM-IV-TR /DSM 5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder;
  2. Age 18-64 years;
  3. currently hospitalized for at least 7 days
  4. currently treated with an antipsychotic, with no dose changes in last 14 days
  5. ability to participate in the informed consent process, as determined by a score of 10 or greater on the Evaluation to Sign Consent
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Exclusion Criteria
  1. Gastrointestinal disorders, including, but not limited to Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease,
  2. Organic brain disorder, including cerebrovascular accident; epilepsy; traumatic brain injury, Loss of consciousness (LOC) for more than 30 minutes
  3. Mental retardation
  4. Antibiotic or immune therapy within the last three months
  5. Prebiotic or probiotic treatment within the last three months
  6. Inability to understand English
  7. Inability to cooperate with study procedures
  8. Pregnant women
  9. Prisoner status
  10. For MRI ONLY Contraindication for MRI scanning (e.g. metal in body, pacemaker).
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Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
16S rRNA gene amplicons from stool samples4 weeks

The 16S rRNA gene amplicon data will be used to examine the relative preponderance of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut microbiota of people with schizophrenia.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Maryland Psychiatric Research Center

🇺🇸

Catonsville, Maryland, United States

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