Bexarotene and Fenretinide as Addition to Antipsychotic Treatment in Schizophrenia Patients

• Status: Withdrawn
• Trial end date: 1969-12-31
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Background: In this proposed study, we aim to investigate safety and efficacy of two synthetic retinoids - bexarotene (Targretin; LGD1069; 4-[1-{5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-2-naphthalenyl} ethenyl] benzoic acid) and fenretinide (Dihydroceramide N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl retinamide) on severity of psychopathology and cognitive impairment in schizophrenia patients in an double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The rationale behind add-on these medications to ongoing antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia patients is based on both the retinoid dysregulation hypothesis: the growth factors deficiency and synaptic destabilization hypothesis of schizophrenia. Furthermore, in our preliminary open clinical trial, we found that a low dose of bexarotene (Targretin, 75 mg/day) was safe and led to significant improvement on total PANSS scores, general psychopathology, on the positive and the dysphoric mood factor scores. The aim of the present study was to provide further insight into the safety and efficacy of bexarotene in comparison to fenretinide (a medication with smaller potential of adverse effects) and placebo in patients suffered from schizophrenia.

• Phase: Phase 3

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Beersheva Mental Health Center
• Treatments: Antipsychotic Agents; Bexarotene; Fenretinide

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-60 years, male or female

2. DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia

3. Ability and willingness to sign informed consent for participation in the study

4. Stable blood parameters

5. Only patients who had a normal baseline fasting triglyceride

Exclusion criteria:

1. Lipid abnormalities.

2. Leukopenia or neutropenia.

3. Evidence of organic brain damage, mental retardation, alcohol or drug abuse

4. Renal disease

5. Hepatic dysfunction.

6. A history of pancreatitis.

7. Thyroid axis alterations

8. Suicide attempt in past year.

9. Cataracts.

10. High dose of vitamin A daily treatment.

11. Patients with a known hypersensitivity to bexarotene or other components of the product.

12. Pregnant women or a woman who intends to become pregnant.