Anticholinergic Deprescription in Schizophrenia Study
This study is looking at whether reducing or stopping certain anticholinergic medications, specifically benztropine or trihexyphenidyl, can improve the quality of life, daily functioning, and thinking abilities (neurocognition) for people with schizophrenia. You might be eligible if you are between 40 and 70 years old, have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and have been taking benztropine or trihexyphenidyl for at least six months. The study aims to see if removing these drugs, when they are no longer needed, can make a positive difference. We don't know the current recruitment status, but the study plans to enroll 105 participants.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study where participants will be randomly assigned to either continue their anticholinergic medication or have it gradually reduced. The study plans to enroll 105 participants.
- What's involved
- You would have an initial evaluation, including an MRI scan, and then follow-up evaluations over 6 months.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Participants will be followed for 6 months after starting the study.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Anticholinergic Deprescription in Schizophrenia
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Deepak K Sarpal, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Change in cognitive performance6 months
We will examine whether the anticholinergic deprescription group, relative to the non-deprescription group, shows an increase in cognitive performance via scores from the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery.
- Change in scores on quality of life assessments.6 months
We will examine whether the anticholinergic deprescription group, relative to the non-deprescription group, shows an increase in quality of life, measured with the WHOQOL-BREF.
- Change in scores on functional outcome assessments.6 months
We will examine whether the anticholinergic deprescription group, relative to the non-deprescription group, shows an increase in functional outcomes, measured with the Specific Level of Functioning Scale.
- change in brain functional connectivity.6 months
We will examine whether the anticholinergic deprescription group, relative to the non-deprescription group, shows an increase in brain functional connectivity between the basal forebrain and linked structures, such as regions of the cognitive control network, and the globus pallidus.
- change in activation of neurocognitive networks6 months
We will examine whether the anticholinergic deprescription group, relative to the non-deprescription group, shows an increase in brain activation of the cognitive control network via the AX-CPT, and activation of the hippocampus during memory encoding/retrieval via the Relational and Item-Specific Encoding task.
- Brain glutamate concentration6 months
We will examine whether the anticholinergic deprescription group, relative to the non-deprescription group, shows an increase in brain glutamate concentrations in the hippocampus and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex.