Tryptophan MRI in People With Schizophrenia and Healthy Controls
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2019-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain. Studies with rodents
indicate that levels of KYNA can impact levels of the neurotransmitters glutamate and
dopamine. One way to reliably increase KYNA levels is by ingesting the amino acid tryptophan.
Tryptophan is a normal part of the human diet. Tryptophan gets metabolized/changed to other
chemicals in the body- including KYNA. By giving people 6 grams of tryptophan, the
investigators will be able to increase the KYNA level in a controlled way. The investigators
will then be able to study the effects of KYNA on neurotransmitters by using cognitive tests
and magnetic resonance imaging techniques (measuring brain activity and brain chemistry using
the MRI magnet). They will test people using tryptophan and also using a placebo to look for
differences. The investigators will test healthy controls and people with schizophrenia to
look for differences.
Phase:
Phase 2/Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
University of Maryland University of Maryland, Baltimore
Collaborators:
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)