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Aging and Disease Course: Contributions to Lifespan Neurobiology of Schizophrenia
NCT04951700 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The 2020 NIMH Strategic Plan for Research calls for investigations targeting neurobiology of mental illness across the lifespan. Growing evidence suggests that lifespan neurobiology of schizophrenia (SZ) incorporates two distinct dimensions: aging and disease course. However, their clinical correlates, associated biomarker trajectories, and implications for treatment are unknown. This study will investigate differential aspects of SZ neurobiology captured by aging and disease course, in order to develop specific biomarkers which may offer actionable targets for SZ stage-dependent intervention. The study is predicated on a novel mechanistic Model of SZ Trajectories across the Adult Lifespan, positing distinct biological fingerprints within the anterior limbic system for aging and disease course in SZ: (1) alterations in the circuit's function and structure that occur earlier in the lifespan and are larger in magnitude than the alterations expected with normal aging (accelerated aging dimension); and (2) regionally-specific anterior limbic "hyperactivity" in early SZ, with a subsequent transformation into "hypoactivity" in advanced SZ (disease course dimension). In a sample of SZ and matched healthy controls (n=168, 84/group) aged 18-75 years the investigators will ascertain a broad panel of biomarkers \[via multimodal brain imaging: optimized 1H-MRS, high-resolution task-based fMRI, perfusion (Vascular Space Occupancy) and structural MRI\], along with comprehensive cognitive and clinical assessments. All measures will be acquired at baseline and repeated at 2-year longitudinal follow-up. Using cutting-edge computational approaches, the study will examine (i) effects of aging and SZ course on anterior limbic system biomarkers; (ii) lifespan trajectories for different biomarkers; (iii) patterns of limbic system biomarkers in age- and SZ course-based subgroups (e.g., Younger vs. Older, Early-Course vs. Advanced SZ), as well as in data-driven subgroups (e.g., those with
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- OTHER Other
Study Locations (1)
Texas
- UT Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 194 participants |
| Start Date | 2021-07-01 |
| Est. Completion | 2027-04-30 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT04951700
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT04951700 describes a study currently listed as active not recruiting. It is categorized as an unspecified phase, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 194 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which has 742 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 6 conditions, with Schizophrenia appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Other is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT04951700 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Texas. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT04951700 about?
NCT04951700 is a clinical study titled "Aging and Disease Course: Contributions to Lifespan Neurobiology of Schizophrenia". The 2020 NIMH Strategic Plan for Research calls for investigations targeting neurobiology of mental illness across the lifespan. Growing evidence suggests that lifespan neurobiology of schizophrenia (SZ) incorporates two distinct dimensions: aging and disease course. However, their clinical correlat...
What is the current status of trial NCT04951700?
This trial is currently active not recruiting. The enrollment target is 194 participants. The study started on 2021-07-01. Estimated completion is 2027-04-30.
What conditions does trial NCT04951700 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Schizophrenia, Aging, Cognitive Dysfunction, Neuroimaging, Biomarker. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT04951700?
The interventions under investigation include: Other (OTHER). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT04951700?
This trial is sponsored by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, which has 742 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT04951700 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Texas. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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