Not Yet RecruitingPhase 2

Study Comparing Antipsychotic Dose Reduction vs. Maintenance Treatment in Patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder: a Personalized Medicine Approach

288 participantsStarted 2026-10-01

Plain-language summary

The objective of this study is to respond to frequent requests from patients who wish to reduce or even stop their antipsychotic treatment once they have achieved clinical stability. Psychiatrists are reluctant to respond to these requests because the method for safely reducing or stopping antipsychotic treatment remains poorly understood. The investigators want to verify the existence of an interaction between treatment strategy and psychotic phenotype (cycloid psychosis vs. non-CP), i.e., in terms of functional remission, the benefit of the dose reduction strategy compared to the maintenance strategy will be greater in the CP group than in the non-CP group. To this end, patients will be randomly assigned to four groups based on their phenotype and treatment strategy (CP-dose reduction; CP-dose maintenance; non-CP-dose reduction; and non-CP-dose maintenance). Several hospitals throughout France are participating in this study, in which a random draw (called randomization) will be conducted to determine whether the physician will propose reducing the antipsychotic dose or maintaining it at the same dose for the patient. Patients included in this study will be adults aged 18 to 60 who have been diagnosed with a schizophrenic spectrum disorder (SS): schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or brief psychotic episode. The antipsychotics studied are: * second-generation antipsychotics: amisulpride, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone; * first-generation antipsychotics: chlorpromazine, flupentixol, haloperidol, levomepromazine, loxapine, pipotiazine, zuclopenthixol. 288 patients will be included and followed for 24 months. The inclusion period is 48 months. Fourteen follow-up visits are planned, every month for four months and then every two months. During these visits, self-questionnaires or cognitive tests will have to be completed by the patient, the caregiver, and/or the treating psychiatrist. Three blood samples will be taken at inclusion, at 6 months, and at the end of the study, in particular to measure the level of medication in the blood.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 60 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Either a cycloid psychosis (CP) phenotype according to By-CP (score \>=80%)
. Or another (non-CP) psychotic phenotype; (By-CP score \< 80%)

Exclusion criteria

. Current diagnosis or history of substance use disorder and/or substance intoxication as defined in the DSM-5-TR. If the history of substance use disorder is more than 12 months before baseline, the participant may be allowed to enroll in the trial after consultation with the sponsor (Participant must also have negative urine drug screen at the screening.)
. A positive urine screen for drugs of abuse at screening.
. A history of alcohol consumption exceeding 2 standard drinks per day on average (1 glass is approximately equivalent to the following: beer \[354 mL/12 oz\], wine or sake \[118 mL/4 oz\], or distilled spirits \[29.5 mL/1 oz\] per day).

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Percentage of patients with functional remission as defined by a Personal and Social Performance Scale score >70 (minimal 1 max 100) at 24 months follow-up (study endpoint).

Timeframe: 24 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07152184

SponsorUniversity Hospital, Strasbourg, France

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2032-02-01

Contact for this trial

Fabrice BERNA, MD

+33388116462 fabrice.berna@chru-strasbourg.fr

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Patient With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder trials