Of all the psychological disorders, schizophrenia is one of the most disabling because of its severe symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. The team at New Hope Clinical Research understand the importance of developing new treatments that can improve schizophrenia symptoms. They constantly conduct clinical trials to determine the effectiveness and safety of new drugs that offer better options. To learn more about clinical trials and talk about participating in one, call the clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina, or book an appointment online.

New Hope Clinical Research

Research Clinic located in Charlotte, NC

Schizophrenia Q & A

New Hope Clinical Research

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a neurological disorder that significantly affects the way you think and distorts your perceptions. These changes negatively affect the way you interact with others.

The first signs of schizophrenia typically appear between adolescence and the early 30s. A sudden onset of symptoms often occurs in middle to late adolescence. In fact, it’s estimated that schizophrenia first develops in adolescence in about one-third of all patients.

Children have the same symptoms as adults, but they’re more likely to have auditory hallucinations and they tend not to experience delusions until mid-adolescence or older.

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is one of the most complex psychological disorders, causing severe disturbances in the brain that result in distorted thinking, unusual behaviors, and odd use of language.

The following symptoms can lead to psychosis or loss of touch with reality:

  • Delusions: firmly believing in something that’s not true or real
  • Hallucinations: smelling, seeing, feeling, tasting, or hearing things that don’t exist
  • Disorganized speech: unusual thought processes leading to speech that others can’t understand
  • Disorganized or catatonic behavior: performing repetitive or senseless movements or not moving at all

People with schizophrenia also develop negative symptoms, which resemble depression. For example, they lose interest in the things they used to enjoy, become lethargic, or don’t keep up with personal hygiene.

How can clinical trials improve treatment for schizophrenia?

Medication is the first line of treatment for schizophrenia. Your doctor prescribes antipsychotics to manage symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thoughts.

Clinical trials are the only way to bring new and better treatments to patients. New medications begin with years of lab testing. If the results in the lab are good, the US Food and Drug Administration approves clinical trials

During clinical trials, investigational medications are used in people who have schizophrenia to verify the new drug’s safe and effective.

The team at New Hope Clinical Research are specialists in running clinical trials. They’ve assembled an extensive team of nurses, dietitians, counselors, and board-certified physicians, called clinical investigators, to work with you during the study.

They also have experience testing schizophrenia medications. For example, they’ve studied drugs for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and drugs designed to improve cognitive activity when used together with standard medications.

If you’d like to participate in clinical trials for schizophrenia, call New Hope Clinical Research or book an appointment online.

What We Offer

Services

Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers Disease

Bipolar

Cardiovascular Diseases

Depression

Depression

Gastroenterology Diseases

Gastroenterology Diseases

Phase I IV

Phase I IV

PTSD

Schizophrenia