Prebiotic Treatment in People With Schizophrenia
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Summary
The proposed project is based on the observation that schizophrenia is characterized by a chronic pro-inflammatory state, which contributes to the severity of a number of the clinical manifestations of the illness, including cognitive impairments, the treatment of which represents a critically important unmet therapeutic need.
Description
The investigators hypothesize that the level of inflammation in people with schizophrenia can be reduced through the use of the prebiotic: Prebiotin®, an oligofructose-enriched inulin (OEI), to stimulate the activity of butyrate-producing bacteria and increase the production of butyrate, which has multiple anti-inflammatory properties. The investigators will confirm the effect of prebiotic administration on the biological signature and examine whether increased serum butyrate levels are associated with changes in cognitive performance (primary specific aim), symptoms, and metabolic measures; a…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder; 2. Age 18-60 years; 3. Considered clinically stable by the treating psychiatrist; 4. Currently treated with an antipsychotic, with no dose changes in last 14 days; 5. Ability to participate in the informed consent process, as determined by a score of 10 or greater on the Evaluation to Sign Consent; 6. BMI ≤ 40 Exclusion Criteria: 1. Gastrointestinal disorders, including, but not limited to Crohn's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease, whose pathology or treatment could alter the presentation or…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementPrebiotic
Prebiotin® is a fine, white to slightly yellow powder, which is mixed into water and has a slightly sweet taste.
- Dietary SupplementPlacebo Prebiotic
Placebo prebiotic mixed into water
Location
- Maryland Psyciatric Research CenterCatonsville, Maryland