P50 suppression and cognition in schizophrenia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study on P50 suppression and cognitive measures in patients with schizophrenia
IRAS ID
134313
Contact name
Panayiota Michalopoulou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King’s College London
Research summary
The focus of this pilot/feasibility study is to test the feasibility of EEG P50 suppression in patients with schizophrenia in our laboratory. Brain cells process stimuli by producing electrical activity, which can be recorded in the form of waves (brain waves) by electroencephalogram (EEG). When brain cells process an auditory stimulus, such as a clicking sound, they generate a brain wave called P50 on the EEG recording.
The project also aims to test the feasibility of performing cognitive function measurements which are used in schizophrenia cognition trials and others which are known to be sensitive to cholinergic compounds. Our feasibility outcomes will also include estimates of time to complete ERP recordings and neuropsychological assessments, time needed to collect and analyse ERP and neuropsychological data, recruitment rates, acceptability of the study measurements by participants, drop outs and feedback from study participants regarding their experience with the ERP and neuropsychological measurements
Thirty patients with schizophrenia in a stable clinical condition will be recruited from the SLaM NHS Trust. The study will be conducted by trained researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London.
Following the completion of the pilot study, we aim to implement a clinical trial to explore the potential role of P50 suppression in the pharmacological manipulation of cognition using a7 nicotinic receptor agonists in patients with schizophrenia.REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1280
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion