Could ditching a common drug boost brain power in schizophrenia?
NCT ID NCT06562608
First seen Feb 13, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 18 times
Summary
This study looks at whether stopping unnecessary anticholinergic drugs (benztropine or trihexyphenidyl) can improve thinking, quality of life, and brain function in people aged 40-70 with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants will either stay on their medication or have it gradually stopped under routine care, with follow-ups over six months. The goal is to see if reducing these drugs leads to better cognitive performance and daily functioning.
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital/University of Pittsburgh
RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
Contact
Contact
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
deprescription of benztropine or trihexyphenidyl
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that removing unnecessary anticholinergic drugs improves cognitive function and quality of life in older adults with schizophrenia.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study with only 105 participants. The benefits may not be large or apply to everyone, and stopping these drugs could cause side effects like movement problems.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.