Schizophrenia

To determine the effects of aerobic exercise on hippocampal volumes and severity of psychotic symptoms in a population of psychosis patients compared to healthy age/gender matched volunteers. Psychosis patients often suffer from a number of cognitive difficulties, including poor memory function, poor problem-solving capacity and difficulties with attention and concentration. These problems are not well addressed by current clinical treatments.

Current Canadian Clinical Practice guidelines emphasize the need for effective psychosocial adjuncts to pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia (Canadian Psychiatric Association 2005). This randomized control trial seeks to contribute to the body of evidence supporting psychosocial treatments by assessing the effectiveness of metacognitive training (MCT) and cognitive remediation (CR) at treating the persistent positive and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.

The perception of music requires coordinated neural activities in distributed multi-functional centers across both hemispheres. The association between musical abilities and other general cognitive functions have been studied in several populations with inconsistent results.

The objectives of this 15-day study are:

• To compare steady-state trough plasma concentrations of clozapine and its metabolite norclozapine when given once daily and twice daily (at the same total daily dose)
• To determine if frequency of clozapine administration has an effect on:
  • Symptoms of schizophrenia
  • Adverse effects of clozapine
  • Fasting blood glucose, lipids, creatinine, and urea
  • Weight and waist circumference