Research Focus

Medication

Medication is often the first treatment for schizophrenia. The main medications used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia are antipsychotics. They may be used in combination with medications for other mental health symptoms, such as mood stabilizers, sedatives and antidepressants, as well as medications to help with the side-effects of antipsychotics. Click on each of the current studies below to learn more, including how to participate.

Current Studies

• Switching from twice-daily to once-daily clozapine dosing in schizophrenia: A pilot, double-blind, randomized controlled trial
• An adaptive Phase II/III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-part, dose-finding, multi-centre study of the safety and efficacy of Naben® (sodium benzoate), a D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor, as an add-on therapy with c ozapine, for residual symptoms of refractory schizophrenia in adults
• A Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trial to examine the efficacy and safety of Bi 425809 once daily with adjunctive computerized cognitive training over a 12-week treatment period in patients with schizophrenia
• Re-examining maintenance antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia: “Extended” antipsychotic dosing

Past Studies

• An adaptive, Phase IIB/III, multi-centre, prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of Naben® (sodium benzoate), a D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor, as an add-on treatment for schizophrenia in adults

Metabolic Health

This area of research focuses on individuals with psychosis experiencing metabolic problems or medication-related side-effects such as weight gain and diabetes. Click on each of the current studies below to learn more, including how to participate.

Current Studies

• Topiramate in treatment refractory psychotic illness: Effects on weight gain and psychopathology
• Semaglutide in comorbid schizophrenia spectrum illness and obesity for metformin non-responders: a single-blind randomized control trial

Past Studies

• Effects of antipsychotics on the gut microbiome in young adults
• Effect of antipsychotics on central insulin action in relation to glucose metabolism and cognition in healthy volunteers Seems like this is a new study vs. the old one on gut microbiome and antipsychotics
• Is brain insulin resistance a feature of the biology of depression in adolescents?

Genetics

Research shows that genetics play a role in schizophrenia. This means that if an individual’s family members experience schizophrenia, then that person has a higher chance of developing the same psychosis themselves. Click on each of the current studies below to learn more, including how to participate.

Current Studies

• Neuroimaging genetics of affective disorders/MRI study
• The pharmacogenomics of clozapine-induced myocarditis (The PROCLAIM study)

Brain Chemistry

Brain chemicals, also known as neurotransmitters, are responsible for sending signals in the brain. They regulate internal bodily functions, influence our behaviour and affect how we react to medication. Click on each of the current studies below to learn more, including how to participate.

Current Studies

• How do certain brain chemicals impact the effectiveness of antipsychotic medications
• Understanding how clozapine works in the brain

Brain Imaging and Diagnostic Technology

Using advanced technology, scientists at CAMH can produce digital images of the brain and identify affected areas in individuals experiencing schizophrenia. Brain imaging aids with the development of novel drug treatments to target these affected areas. Brain stimulation involves stimulating areas of the brain to treat people experiencing schizophrenia. Click on each of the current studies below to learn more, including how to participate.

Current Studies

• Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on treatment adherence in schizophrenia
• Exploring non-invasive brain stimulation in improving symptoms in schizophrenia
• Using intermittent theta burst stimulation to enhance social cognition in people with psychosis

Past Studies

• Treatment of negative symptoms in early schizophrenia with transcranial direct current stimulation coupled with virtual reality training
• Transcranial direct current stimulation coupled with virtual rehabilitation for negative symptoms in at-risk youth
• ERG components in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder type I
  • Discovering a potential test for early diagnosis of schizophrenia

Quality of Life

Research within the Schizophrenia Division not only examines the biological processes associated with schizophrenia but takes on a broader scope of view. Our scientists examine the effects it can have on a person’s life experiences and how to improve quality of life for patients. Click on each of the current studies below to learn more, including how to participate.

Current Studies

• PREDICTS (Characterization and Prediction of Individual Functional Outcome Trajectories in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders)
• Optimizing cognitive behavioral social skills training with executive function training for older adults with schizophrenia

Past Studies

• Limits of cure: Understanding treatment-resistant depression and schizophrenia
• Building the App4Indepence: A digital health tool for the schizophrenia spectrum
• Culturally adapted CBT for Canadians of South Asian origin
• Predicting psychotic relapse using a speech analysis app
• Psychosis narratives project
• Examining how individuals with lived experience of mental illness, working as peers, can assist people with schizophrenia in the transition to community after lengthy hospitalizations