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MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in First Episode Schizophrenia (MIRFEST)

10 juli 2026 bijgewerkt door: Juan Gallego Angel, Northwell Health

MicroRNAs in Neural-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers in First Episode Schizophrenia

This study investigates whether tiny molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs), found in special brain-derived "packages" (neural-derived extracellular vesicles, or NDEs) that travel from the brain into the blood, can serve as helpful indicators (biomarkers) for schizophrenia. Currently, doctors diagnose schizophrenia and monitor treatment primarily through clinical interviews, which can be slow and imprecise. This study will work with 80 individuals recently diagnosed with first-episode schizophrenia who are beginning treatment with either aripiprazole or risperidone, along with 80 healthy volunteers. Blood samples will be collected from all participants. For individuals with schizophrenia, blood will be drawn at the beginning of treatment and again after 12 weeks. By comparing patterns of brain-derived miRNAs in the blood of patients versus healthy volunteers, and by observing changes in these miRNAs during treatment, the researchers hope to discover whether these molecules can help diagnose schizophrenia more quickly and predict how well a treatment will work. If successful, this study will provide initial evidence that these miRNAs could become valuable new tools leading to earlier, more accurate diagnoses and more personalized treatment selection.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Werving

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

Schizophrenia is a significant psychiatric illness characterized by psychosis, social withdrawal, and cognitive difficulties leading to impaired daily functioning. Diagnosis and treatment assessment remain heavily reliant on clinical interviews, which are subjective and lack objective biological indicators. Previous research has established evidence of miRNA dysregulation in schizophrenia through genome-wide association studies, post-mortem brain tissue analysis, and biological fluid studies. A more recent and promising approach involves measuring miRNAs specifically contained within neural-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEs) isolated from plasma. These NDEs carry brain-specific miRNA cargo and can be identified in peripheral blood, offering a less invasive approach compared to cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissue.

This study addresses the identified knowledge gap by investigating plasma NDE miRNAs as novel diagnostic and treatment response biomarkers specifically in first-episode schizophrenia (FES). The focus on FES participants minimizes confounding effects associated with long-term medication use and extended illness duration. The study employs a 12-week mechanistic clinical trial design with clinical assessments, neurocognitive testing (MATRICS), and blood collection for NDE miRNA sequencing at baseline and 12 weeks. MiRNA sequencing will be performed using Illumina NovaSeq6000 following NDE isolation via L1/NCAM antibody immunoprecipitation. Statistical analysis includes differential expression analysis using DESeq, Binary Elastic Net Regression for feature selection, and machine learning models (random forests, gradient boosting, SVM) for predictive performance assessment.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

160

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Studie Contact Back-up

Studie Locaties

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Kind
  • Volwassen

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Ja

Beschrijving

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Acute first episode of psychosis with DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, or psychosis Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
  2. Current positive symptoms rated ≥4 (moderate) on one or more of these BPRS items: hallucinatory behavior, unusual thought content, grandiosity, conceptual disorganization
  3. Early phase of illness as defined by having taken antipsychotic drugs for a cumulative lifetime period ≤2 weeks
  4. Age 15 to 40
  5. Receiving or about to start naturalistic treatment with either aripiprazole or risperidone
  6. Full capacity to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participant voluntarily withdraws consent at any given time during the study
  • Loss of capacity to consent during the study
  • Treating psychiatrist determines that the participant requires an antipsychotic medication other than aripiprazole or risperidone due to adverse effects, poor tolerability, poor response, or any other reason
  • The investigator, sponsor, independent safety monitor, or DSMB determines discontinuation is necessary to protect the participant
  • Pregnancy is discovered during the study

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Diagnostisch
  • Toewijzing: Niet-gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
  • Masker: Geen (open label)

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Experimenteel: First-Episode Schizophrenia - Aripiprazole/Risperidone
FES participants receiving naturalistic treatment with aripiprazole or risperidone as prescribed by their treating psychiatrist. Blood samples collected at baseline and week 12 for NDE miRNA analysis.
Diagnostische toets: Plasma NDE miRNA Sequencing
Blood samples collected at baseline and week 12 for isolation of neural-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEs) from plasma using L1/NCAM antibody immunoprecipitation, followed by small RNA sequencing on Illumina NovaSeq6000 to identify differentially expressed miRNAs.
Genetisch: Whole Genome Sequencing
Single baseline blood sample collected for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing to analyze genetic variation associated with psychosis and treatment response.
Actieve vergelijker: Healthy volunteers
Healthy volunteers providing a single baseline blood sample for NDE miRNA analysis comparison.
Diagnostische toets: Plasma NDE miRNA Sequencing
Blood samples collected at baseline and week 12 for isolation of neural-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEs) from plasma using L1/NCAM antibody immunoprecipitation, followed by small RNA sequencing on Illumina NovaSeq6000 to identify differentially expressed miRNAs.
Genetisch: Whole Genome Sequencing
Single baseline blood sample collected for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing to analyze genetic variation associated with psychosis and treatment response.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Diagnostic performance of plasma NDE miRNA panel
Tijdsspanne: Baseline (Week 0)
Sensitivity, specificity, and Area Under the Curve (AUC) of a panel of plasma NDE miRNAs in differentiating acutely psychotic First-Episode Schizophrenia (FES) participants from Healthy Volunteers (HV), assessed using Binary Elastic Net Regression and machine learning models.
Baseline (Week 0)
Predictive performance of baseline plasma NDE miRNA levels for treatment response
Tijdsspanne: Baseline NDE miRNAs predicting response at Week 12
Predictive performance (AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity) of baseline plasma NDE miRNA levels for clinical response to antipsychotic treatment (aripiprazole or risperidone). Treatment response defined as all 4 BPRS Thought Disturbance factor items below psychotic level (<4) for 2 consecutive ratings with concomitant CGI ratings of much/very much improved.
Baseline NDE miRNAs predicting response at Week 12

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Northwell Health

Onderzoekers

  • Hoofdonderzoeker: Juan Gallego, MD, Northwell Health

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Geschat)

1 juli 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

1 mei 2031

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

1 mei 2031

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

4 juni 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

10 juli 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

14 juli 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

14 juli 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

10 juli 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 juli 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • R01MH143042 (Subsidie/contract van de Amerikaanse NIH)

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

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