The benefit of minocycline on negative symptoms in schizophrenia
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN49141214 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN49141214 |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | 2010-022463-35 |
| Protocol serial number | 10411 |
| Sponsor | Manchester Mental Health And Social Care NHS Trust |
| Funder | National Institute for Health Research |
- Submission date
- 22/08/2016
- Registration date
- 12/12/2016
- Last edited
- 20/01/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that causes a range of symptoms including hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (beliefs that are not based on reality) and changes in behaviour. One of the most disabling factors affecting the quality of life of people with schizophrenia is the development of a set of so-called negative symptoms comprising social withdrawal, self-neglect, loss of motivation and mild impairment of intelligence. Standard drug treatments are effective in reducing psychotic symptoms such as paranoid delusions and hearing voices, but they have little impact on negative symptoms. Two major studies have shown that a standard antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug called minocycline commonly used in acne and other infections, reduces negative symptoms in schizophrenia. It was also found to lessen the weight gain that standard treatments usually cause. Other studies suggest that minocycline may also improve positive symptoms (such as hallucinations and delusions) in acute (sudden) episodes of illness. The aim of this study is to investigate whether minocycline is especially effective given early in the course of illness and to understand how it works.
Who can participate?
Schizophrenic adults aged between 16 and 35 who are having an acute episode.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are given 300mg of minocycline to take every day for 12 months. Those in the second group are given an identical looking placebo (dummy pill) to take every day for 12 months. During the study, all participants continue to receive their usual treatment. At the start of the study and then again after 2, 6, 9 12 and 15 months, participants complete a number of questionnaires to assess their symptoms. In addition at the start of the study and after 12 months, participants have a brain scan in order to find out if treatment with the study drug has caused any changes to their brain. Blood samples are also taken at the start of the study and then again after 6, 12 and 15 months to measure levels of chemicals called cytokines in the blood, which should show whether minocycline is working by blocking inflammation in the brain.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Minocycline is antibiotic that has been widely used for 50 years, for example in treating acne. The direct benefits of participating are additional clinical contacts and assessments plus any therapeutic effects of minocycline. The main side effect is that small patches of skin pigmentation may occur after several months of use, although this usually clears up if spotted early. Rare cases of liver damage have been reported at less than 1/10,000 cases. There is a small risk of pain or bruising during blood tests.
Where is the study run from?
Manchester Mental Health Social Care NHS Trust (lead site) and other mental health services in England and Scotland (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2011 to June 2016
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Professor Bill Deakin
bill.deakin@manchester.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
G907 Stopford Bldg
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PT
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-2750-962X |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Drug |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | The benefit of minocycline on negative symptoms in schizophrenia: Extent and mechanisms |
| Study objectives | Primary efficacy predictions: 1. Minocycline minimises later negative symptoms when administered during the acute phase of early psychosis 2. Minocycline reduces or prevents the negative symptoms of schizophrenia by: 2.1. Reducing the loss of grey matter associated with early psychosis 2.2. Interfering with inflammatory cytokine production 2.3. An action on glutamate systems to improve negative symptoms and cognitive function Mechanistic hypotheses: 1. Minocycline works by lessening a degenerative process, which is most active in the acute phase of psychosis and is responsible for the development of negative symptoms. The hypothesis predicts that the loss of grey matter, known to occur during the early years following onset of psychosis, will be lessened by minocycline treatment and that this will correlate with and explain improved negative symptoms. 2. Minocycline works by lessening an inflammatory process in the brain which gives rise to negative symptoms, possibly but not necessarily mediated by subtle neurodegeneration (see H1 above). The hypothesis predicts that circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines will be lessened by minocycline treatment. 3. Minocycline works by reversing defective NMDA glutamate receptor function to improve negative symptoms and frontal executive cognition. The hypothesis predicts that minocycline will improve functional brain imaging and performance measures of cognitive function. It also predicts that benefits on negative symptoms wane when the drug is stopped. However, it is possible glutamate actions could also be neuroprotective (see H1 above) whether or not it enhances glutamate function in the short-term. |
| Ethics approval(s) | North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee, 06/07/2011, ref: 11/NW0218 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Specialty: Mental Health, Primary sub-specialty: Psychosis |
| Intervention | Participants are randomised to one of two groups according to a randomised permuted blocks algorithm, after stratification by centre, as specified by the trial statistician. Intervention group: Participants take 300mg daily minocycline for 12 months Control group: Participants take a matched placebo daily for 12 months Both groups continue treatment as usual from their clinical teams throughout the study period. Follow up for all participants involves assessments at 2, 6, 9 and 12 months after randomization. All primary and secondary outcome assessments are carried out at randomization and 12 months. At 6 and 9 months all non-imaging outcome assessments are carried out and again at 15 months (3 months after stopping trial medication). The final assessments are at 15 months. |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Not Applicable |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | Minocycline |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Negative symptom severity is measured using the negative syndrome subscale score on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at 2, 6, 9, 12 and 15 months |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Body weight is measured using digital weighing scales at baseline and 12 months |
| Completion date | 09/06/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 170 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Male or female aged 16-35 years 2. Current DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective psychosis, psychosis NOS as assessed with the clinical team 3. In an episode as defined by 3.1. An onset or exacerbation of symptoms 3.2. With continuing positive symptoms scoring at least mild (>2) on items P1, P2 or P6 of the PANSS within the last month 4. In contact with early intervention, community or inpatient services 5. Within 3 years of onset of symptoms 6. Current IQ greater than 70 7. Female patients must use effective birth control with a negative pregnancy test 8. Able to understand and willing to give written informed consent 9. Fluent in English |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Current substance misuse diagnosis that in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with the study (urine toxicology screens will be used to monitor drug use) 2. Patients who, in the Investigator’s judgment pose a current serious suicidal or violence risk 3. Prior tetracycline use within 2 months of baseline visit or history of sensitivity or intolerance 4. History of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) or a history of SLE in a first-degree relative 5. Use of any investigational drug within 30 days of baseline visit 6. Relevant current or past haematologic, hepatic, renal, neurological or other medical disorder that in the opinion of the investigator may interfere with the study 7. Clinically significant deviation from the reference range in clinical laboratory test results as judged by the Investigator 8. Previous randomisation in the present study 9. Pregnant or nursing |
| Date of first enrolment | 10/12/2012 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/05/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
- Scotland
Study participating centres
Rawnsley Bldg
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Hathersage Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Harrop House
Bury New Road
Manchester
M25 3BL
United Kingdom
St Pancras Hospital
4 St Pancras Way
London
NW1 0PE
United Kingdom
Uxbridge Road
London
UB1 3EU
United Kingdom
Uxbridge Road
London
UB1 3EU
United Kingdom
De Crespigny Park
London
SE5 8AF
United Kingdom
Fulbourn Hospital
Cambridge
CB21 5EF
United Kingdom
Sceptre Way
Walton Summit
Preston
CB21 5EF
United Kingdom
NHSR&D office
Morningside Place
Edinburgh
EH10 5HF
United Kingdom
NHS R&D Dept
Halbeath Rd
Dunfirmline
KY11 4UW
United Kingdom
Stirling Road
Larbert
FK5 4WR
United Kingdom
NHS R&D Office
Melrose
TD6 9BS
United Kingdom
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom
305309 Fore Street
Edmonton
London
N9 0PD
United Kingdom
Herchel Smith Building
Robinson Way
Cambridge
CB2 0SZ
United Kingdom
Dept of Psychiatry
Stopford Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Box P089
De Crespigny Park
London
SE5 8AF
United Kingdom
50 Summer Hill Road
Birmingham
B1 3RB
United Kingdom
London
WC1N 3BG
United Kingdom
Upton Lea Resource Centre
The Countess Of Chester Health Park
Chester
CH2 1BQ
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Stored in repository |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be stored in a publically available repository not yet identified. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/11/2018 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | NIHR journal | 01/08/2019 | 20/01/2023 | Yes | No |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
20/01/2023: Publication reference added.
17/10/2018: Publication reference added.
