Intravenous Sodium Nitroprusside in Symptomatic Early Course Schizophrenia
About:
Increased inflammation and altered microvasculature is common in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This increased inflammation is associated with worse cognitive performance and more severe symptoms of psychosis. Sodium nitroprusside may protect microvasculature from oxidative stress and damage and ultimately decrease inflammation. Our study investigates whether a sodium nitroprusside infusion will decrease inflammation and ultimately improve symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
This study is run through Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/ Harvard Medical School and includes compensation for participants.
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The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a single intravenous administration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on symptoms, cognition, and retinal imaging in early course schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
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To qualify, participants must have been diagnosed with early course schizophrenia spectrum disorder and be taking antipsychotic medications for 8 weeks and have a stable dose for at least 4 weeks.
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Participation in this study includes 4 visits over the course of 4 weeks. There is the first baseline visit, the infusion visit, the day 7 follow-up visit, the day 14 follow-up visit, and the day 28 follow-up visit.
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o Questionnaires about your psychiatric, medical, and substance use history at the baseline visit
o Urine test to screen for substance use at the baseline visit
o OCTA retinal imaging at the baseline visit
o Clinical and cognitive testing at baseline and at each follow-up visit
o Sodium Nitroprusside infusion at the infusion visit
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Baseline assessments and urine toxicology screening will be held at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Subsequent medical screening (blood tests, vital signs, EKG) and SNP infusion visits will occur in the BIDMC Clinical Research Center. Additionally, the participant will be accompanied to Massachusetts Eye and Ear for their OCTA retinal imaging.
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The compensation for this study is adjusted based on how many of the tasks are completed. Participants will be compensated after each session they complete.
