A Randomized Controlled Trial With Rituximab - for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder in Adults
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2026-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Immunological factors are assumed to be determinants for some psychiatric disorders, thus
anti-inflammatory drugs may be helpful. However, studies on such treatments are scarce. An
inflammatory modulating drug rituximab, cluster of differentiation antigen 20 antibodies
(anti-CD20 antibodies), is a standard treatment for e.g. multiple sclerosis.
We aim to test rituximab in a randomised placebo-controlled double-blinded, add-on treatment
trial in 104 patients (18-51 years) with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Sampling from blood
for analyses of inflammatory mediators are investigated at gene and protein levels and
resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and lumbar puncture are
optional. Biomarkers will be investigated in relation to treatment response.