The purpose of this study is to compare 2 antipsychotic drugs, clozapine and olanzapine (Zyprexa), for the treatment of children and adolescents who have failed standard antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention	Phase
Schizophrenia	Drug: Olanzapine  Drug: Clozapine	Phase IV

Further Study Details: 

Expected Total Enrollment:  80

Schizophrenia is a devastating illness regardless of the age at which it presents. When this disorder occurs in childhood or adolescence, the consequences in terms of functional impairment, loss of developmental opportunities, and family and societal burden are particularly dramatic. Evidence supports the improved efficacy and/or side effect profile of atypical antipsychotic medication in adults. Thus, it is essential to examine whether the potential benefits of these agents can be extended to children, particularly children who have failed standard treatment.

Patients are randomly assigned to receive either clozapine or olanzapine daily for 12 weeks. Patients meet with the study team once a week to discuss progress and record side effects. Three parent meetings take place during the study. During these meetings, questions are discussed and support and education about schizophrenia are given to parents. Various scales to measure psychotic, manic, aggressive, and depressive symptoms are used to assess patients.

Ages Eligible for Study:  10 Years   -   18 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Criteria

Inclusion criteria:

• DSM-IV criteria for treatment-refractory schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Willingness to use an acceptable form of birth control, if applicable

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurological or medical disorders that would contraindicate treatment with clozapine or olanzapine
• IQ less than 70
• DSM-IV criteria for substance (other than caffeine or nicotine) related disorder
• Failure of an adequate trial of olanzapine or clozapine

Sanjiv Kumra, MD      718-470-4161 

New York
      Bronx Children's Psychiatric Center, Bronx,  New York,  10461,  United States; Recruiting
      Sagamore Children's Psychiatric Center, Dix Hills,  New York,  11746,  United States; Recruiting
      Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Glen Oaks,  New York,  11004,  United States; Recruiting

Study chairs or principal investigators

John M Kane, M.D.,  Principal Investigator,  Zucker Hillside Hospital   

Study ID Numbers:  60229-01A2
Record last reviewed:  March 2005
Last Updated:  March 2, 2005
Record first received:  November 8, 2002
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00048828
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08