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Mental Illness Research,
Education & Clinical Center (MIRECC)
VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network
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Participate in Clinical Trials
Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS)
What is this study about?
The NIMH initiative, (MATRICS), was designed to support the development of pharmacological agents for improving the neurocognitive impairments that are a core feature of schizophrenia. These cognitive deficits affect nearly every individual with schizophrenia. Moreover, the severity of these cognitive deficits is closely related to the severity of functional impairments that result in poor community adaptation and work disability for the large majority of individuals affected by this illness. Although available pharmacological treatments are effective for reducing the severity of the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia, they are relatively ineffective in reducing the severity of neurocognitive deficits and associated functional impairments.The goal of MATRICS is to advance the development of drugs for treating these impairments in schizophrenia by addressing important obstacles that have interfered with drug development.
The NIMH has identified obstacles that are likely to interfere with the development of pharmacological agents for treating cognition in schizophrenia. These include: (1) a lack of a consensus as to how cognition in schizophrenia should be measured; (2) differing opinions as to the pharmacological approaches that are most promising; (3) challenges in clinical trial design; (4) concerns in the pharmaceutical industry regarding the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approaches to drug approval for this indication; and (5) issues in developing a research infrastructure that can carry out clinical trials of promising drugs.
The MATRICS program has brought together representatives of academia, industry, and government in a consensus process for addressing all of these obstacles.
What are the goals of the NIMH MATRICS?
- To catalyze regulatory acceptance of cognition in schizophrenia as a target for drug registration.
- To promote development of novel compounds to enhance cognition in schizophrenia.
- Leverage economic research power of industry to focus on important but neglected clinical targets.
- Identify l
ead compounds and if deemed feasible, support human proof of concept trials for cognition in schizophrenia.
What are the activities of the MATRICS?
- Holding 6 Consensus-Oriented Conferences
- Identifying Cognitive Targets and Establishing Criteria for Test Selection
- Neuropsychopharmacological Approaches to Modulating Cognition in Schizophrenia.
- Evaluating Tests/Batteries Against Criteria and Recommending a Consensus Battery.
- Medication Development Programs to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia: Opportunities and Issues for Government/Industry/Academic Collaboration.
- Clinical Trial Designs for Studying Neurocognition.
- New Approaches to Assessing and Improving Cognition in Schizophrenia.
- Interviewing 75-100 large and small pharmaceutical
companies and developing an issue paper outlining options for government/industry
collaboration.
- Developing a data-base of lead compounds of potential
utility in human cognition augmentation trials.
- Developing an issue paper to define options for creation
and management of cognition trial network.
- Designing and conducting one or more proof of concept
trials (should sufficiently promising lead compounds be identified).
Who do I contact for more information about the MATRICS project?
- Shelly Crosby, Project Recruiter (310) 478-3711 ext. 49234
- Stephen Marder, M.D., Principal Investigator (310) 268-3647
Disclaimer:
This web site, is offered as a public service and is not intended to substitute for professional medical care.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date:
September 22, 2006 |
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