Plain-English translation of NCT04946916 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Schizophrenia research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Researchers are studying a protein in blood called neurofilament light chain to see if it can help doctors distinguish between thinking and memory problems caused by conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder versus problems caused by Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal dementia. The study will compare blood samples and cognitive testing from four groups of people: those with psychiatric disorders without thinking problems, those with psychiatric disorders experiencing cognitive decline, and those with confirmed neurodegenerative diseases.
Currently, doctors struggle to tell whether cognitive decline in psychiatric patients is part of the psychiatric condition itself or a sign of an underlying neurodegenerative disease. A reliable blood test could help doctors diagnose the true cause of cognitive problems more accurately, leading to better treatment decisions.
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You will attend one or more visits at the research site, where you'll complete cognitive testing (like memory and thinking tests), answer questions about your mood and psychiatric symptoms, and have a blood sample taken. The entire process involves standard clinical assessments similar to what you might receive at a regular doctor's appointment—there are no experimental medications or invasive procedures involved.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 4, 2026 · Not medical advice
France