Confirmatory Efficacy Trial of a Gluten-Free Diet in a Subgroup of Persons With Schizophrenia Who Have High Levels of IgG Anti-Gliadin Antibodies (AGA IG)

Study Purpose

This study purpose is to conduct a confirmatory double-blind randomized controlled trial in an inpatient setting of the effects of a tightly controlled gluten-free diet (GFD) to improve negative symptoms in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who have antibodies to gliadin (AGA IgG). As part of the project investigators will also confirm outcomes such as cognitive symptoms, changes in peripheral and central inflammation as well as gut/blood brain barrier permeability.

Recruitment Criteria

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers are participants who do not have a disease or condition, or related conditions or symptoms

No
Study Type

An interventional clinical study is where participants are assigned to receive one or more interventions (or no intervention) so that researchers can evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or health-related outcomes.


An observational clinical study is where participants identified as belonging to study groups are assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.


Searching Both is inclusive of interventional and observational studies.

Interventional
Eligible Ages 18 Years - 64 Years
Gender All
More Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. DSM-IV/DSM 5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. 2. Positive for antibodies to gliadin (IgG > 20 U) 3. SANS total score ≥ 20 and the affective flattening or alogia global item ≥ 3. 4. Age 18- 64 years. 5. Same antipsychotic for at least 4 weeks. 6. Ability to consent determined by a score of 10 or greater on the Evaluation to Sign Consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Persons already on gluten free diets. 2. Positivity to tissue transglutaminase (tTg) antibodies or known history of Celiac Disease. 3. Pregnant or lactating females. 4. Medical condition whose pathology or treatment could alter the presentation or treatment of schizophrenia or significantly increase the risk associated with the proposed treatment protocol. 5. Meets DSM-5 criteria for alcohol or substance use disorder (other than nicotine) within the last month. 6. Gluten ataxia, as measured by the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale. Additional exclusion for those participating in optional imaging component: 7. Non-removable ferromagnetic metal on or within the body. 8. Current claustrophobia. 9. Inability to lie supine for 1.5 hours

Trial Details

Trial ID:

This trial id was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, providing information on publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants with locations in all 50 States and in 196 countries.

NCT03183609
Phase

Phase 1: Studies that emphasize safety and how the drug is metabolized and excreted in humans.

Phase 2: Studies that gather preliminary data on effectiveness (whether the drug works in people who have a certain disease or condition) and additional safety data.

Phase 3: Studies that gather more information about safety and effectiveness by studying different populations and different dosages and by using the drug in combination with other drugs.

Phase 4: Studies occurring after FDA has approved a drug for marketing, efficacy, or optimal use.

N/A
Lead Sponsor

The sponsor is the organization or person who oversees the clinical study and is responsible for analyzing the study data.

University of Maryland, Baltimore
Principal Investigator

The person who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the entire clinical study.

N/A
Principal Investigator Affiliation N/A
Agency Class

Category of organization(s) involved as sponsor (and collaborator) supporting the trial.

Other
Overall Status Recruiting
Countries United States
Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied.

Schizophrenia, Gluten Sensitivity, Schizo Affective Disorder
Study Website: View Trial Website
Additional Details

This study is a randomized double blind clinical trial being funded by NIMH. Investigators will need to enroll 40 cases with AGA IgG positivity in order to present a powered and convincing result about the efficacy of gluten withdrawal in the subpopulation of persons with schizophrenia with elevated AGA IgG levels. Investigators will recruit a minimum 50 to ensure they are well powered without question, and to account for dropouts. Investigators will use a battery of measures of peripheral and central inflammation as well as gut permeability at baseline and endpoint to confirm the relationship of these outcomes to changes in AGA IgG and symptom changes in the clinical trial. Investigators will test negative symptoms as a primary outcome but will test changes in other symptom domains such as positive symptoms. After the completion of the 5 week confirmatory study, investigators will discharge participants and follow them for 8 weeks in their own environment to test the maintenance of the effect following the stringent GFD, and provide education on gluten free shopping, cooking and eating.

Arms & Interventions

Arms

Active Comparator: Gluten

30 grams of gluten flour daily in protein shake

Placebo Comparator: Placebo

30 grams of rice flour daily in protein shake

Interventions

Other: - Gluten Flour in Protein Shake

15 Grams Gluten Flour BID

Other: - Rice Flour in Protein Shake

15 Grams Rice Flour BID

Contact a Trial Team

If you are interested in learning more about this trial, find the trial site nearest to your location and contact the site coordinator via email or phone. We also strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider about the trials that may interest you and refer to our terms of service below.

Catonsville, Maryland

Status

Recruiting

Address

Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC) Outpatient Research Program (ORP); the MPRC Treatment Research Program (TRP)

Catonsville, Maryland, 21228

Site Contact

AnnMarie Kearns, BS

akearns@mprc.umaryland.edu

410-402-6854

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