Brain games and drugs: a new hope for psychosis?
NCT ID NCT07263022
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study looks at whether a single dose of modafinil or D-serine can improve decision-making and thinking in people who have had psychosis for less than five years. Twenty-four participants will play computer brain games and have brain scans before and after taking the drugs. The goal is to understand how these agents affect the brain, not to treat the condition directly.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Modafinil and D-serine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward treatments that improve thinking and decision-making in people with early psychosis.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 24 participants. It tests single doses, not long-term effects, so results may not lead to new treatments.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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About 24 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2026
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 35 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18 and 35 * Onset of a psychosis spectrum illness (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, psychosis NOS, bipolar disorder with psychosis, or major depressive disorder with psychosis) within 5 years of enrollment * Estimated IQ of 70 or above * Proficient at English as determined through interactions with the study team * No change in psychiatric medication within a week of enrollment or MRI study visits * No clinically significant change in any medications for at least 1 month prior to study participation or MRI study visits, as determined by PI/Co-Is * Participants may have minor adjustments in medication doses in the past 30 days, per PI discretion, but may not have had major increases or decreases in doses, or additions or removal of medication within the past 30 days. * Participants are to have no changes to medications in the past 7 days before drug administration (i.e., must have been on a stable dose for at least 7 days prior to receiving the study drug). Exclusion Criteria: Medical Criteria: * Presence of the following medical concerns as determined by the study PI: * Major neurological disorder * History of a clinically significant head injury with or without prolonged unconsciousness * Any major medical condition that, in the opinion of the PI, would impede participation in the study or would put the participant at additional risk by participating * History of any of the following as reported by the participant: * Renal impairment, injury, or disease * Hepatic impairment, injury, or disease * Myocardial infarction or heart disease, or endorsement of history of or of cardiac symptoms at intake: * Dyspnea * Palpitations * Orthopnea * Pedal oedema * Significant dizziness * Syncope * Claudication * Low white blood cell count, or is diagnosed with leukopenia, neutropenia, or agranulocytosis * Presence of unmanaged hypertension (\>140/90) or elevated resting heart rate (\>100 bpm) * Abnormal clinical laboratory values: * uACR \> 30 mg/g * creatinine level \>0.95 mg/dL * AST or ALT \> 50 U/L * Bilirubin \> 1.2 mg/dL * Total Protein \< 6 g/dL * Taking a medication or supplement that has a major drug interaction with any study drugs (e.g., ketamine, MAOIs, clomipramine, diazepam, propranolol, warfarin) * Allergies to study drugs * Is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or is breastfeeding * Cannot pass the visual acuity test * Cannot pass the CMRR Subject Safety Screen due to MRI contraindications Mental health criteria: * Meets criteria for a severe substance or alcohol use disorder within 3 months of enrollment * Lifetime history of a stimulant use disorder * Current manic episode as determined by the MINI * History of psychiatric hospitalization within 3 months of enrollment * Meets criteria for clinical risk of suicidal behavior, as defined by: * Clinician judgment * A suicide attempt within 3 months of enrollment * Active suicidal ideation at screening or baseline, as indicated by the C-SSRS Screener * Previous intent to act on suicidal ideation with a specific plan and/or preparatory acts within 3 months of enrollment, as indicated by the C-SSRS Screener * Symptom severity scores in the severe (6) or extremely severe (7) range on the BPRS for the following items: suicidality, disorientation, bizarre behavior, excitement, elevated mood * Any other psychiatric symptoms or conditions that, in the opinion of the PI, would impede participation in the study or put the participant at additional risk by participating Other criteria: * Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent * Unable to demonstrate adequate decisional capacity, in the judgment of the consenting study staff member, to make a choice about participating in the research study * Current guardianship * Is under civil commitment or under a stay of civil commitment * Illiteracy * Has engaged in significant cognitive training, in the opinion of the PI, in the last year
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Minnesota
RECRUITINGMinneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
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