Anticholinergic Deprescription in Schizophrenia

Recruiting now · Phase 4

Conditions studied: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder

In brief

In this study, the investigators will examine whether a deprescription of unnecessary anticholinergic drugs (benztropine or trihexyphenidyl) can augment quality of life, functioning, and neurocognition in individuals who with schizophrenia. Individuals identified by clinical services who have unneeded prescriptions benztropine or trihexyphenidyl will be eligible for deprescription and study entry. Following a baseline evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), participants will will be randomized to either staying on their anticholinergic drugs or undergoing deprescription per routine clinical care, and will undergo follow-up evaluations across 6 months. The investigators predict that reducing and deprescribing these drug, if clinically determined to be unnecessary will will enhance functioning, neurocognition

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06562608

Run by

Deepak K. Sarpal, M.D.

People needed

105

Starts

2025-02-01

Expected to finish

2029-06-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-10

Who can join

Age: 40 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Primary DSM-defined diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or unspecified psychotic disorder, verified by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID).
• Prescription of benztropine or trihexyphenidyl for at least 6 months
• Age 35-70 years.
• ACBS score >= 3.
• Mild or absent extrapyramidal symptoms (Determined by clinical pharmacists and prescribers).
• Competency and willingness to sign informed consent.
• Inclusion criteria for the healthy control group:
• Age 40-70 years.
• Competency and willingness to sign informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Serious anticholinergic side-effects (e.g., fever, blurred vision) indicative of a need for immediate removal of anticholinergics,
• Serious neurologic or medical condition/treatment that impacts the brain and Neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson's, dementia, etc.; autoimmune conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and lupus; as well as traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Significant risk of suicidal or homicidal behavior.
• Cognitive or language limitations, or any other factor that would preclude subjects providing informed consent.
• Contraindications for MR imaging (e.g., a pacemaker).
• Current SCID-verified substance use disorder will be excluded to avoid the confounding impact of significant substance use comorbidity. Participants with a history of substance use disorder that is in early or full remission will be eligible, to enhance generalizability.
• Patients concurrently treated with electroconvulsive therapy will be excluded because of its effects on cognition.
• Exclusion criteria for Healthy Control (HC) subjects:
• No history of psychotic illness and no active Axis I disorder as determined by clinical interview using the SCID-NP.
• Score greater than 1 on the ACB scale.
• MR imaging contraindications.
• Neurologic conditions, any serious non-psychiatric disorder that could affect brain functioning, or intellectual disability.
• HC with family history of psychosis will be excluded, as such individuals show subtle, but significant cognitive and neurobiological abnormalities.
• Individuals currently taking anticholinergic medications for reasons other than SSD.

Where it is running

• UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital/University of Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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