Take a daily supplement being tested for early-phase psychotic disorders

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What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether , a supplement that targets cell energy production, can help improve thinking skills and reduce psychiatric symptoms in young adults who are in the early stages of psychosis-spectrum disorders. Researchers believe that some people with early psychosis may have problems with how their cells produce energy, and this medication might help fix that problem. The study will compare the medication to an identical-looking placebo (inactive pill) over 12 weeks.

Current treatments for early psychosis focus mainly on reducing psychiatric symptoms, but many patients still struggle with thinking and memory problems that affect their daily lives. This trial is exploring whether treating the underlying cell energy problems might help improve these cognitive difficulties in patients who show signs of that specific issue.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are between 18 and 35 years old
you have been diagnosed with a psychosis-spectrum disorder (such as schizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or unspecified psychosis)
you have been in treatment for psychosis for less than five years
you are able to provide informed consent and speak English fluently
your psychiatric symptoms are in a moderate range (PANSS score below 75)

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a substance use disorder diagnosis in the past 6 months (with the exception of tobacco or mild to moderate cannabis use)
you have a serious acute medical condition that is actively being treated, such as infections, heart disease, kidney failure, or certain other illnesses
you are currently taking antioxidant supplements like vitamin E, vitamin C, fish oil, multivitamins, or NAC within the past 14 days
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, planning to become pregnant during the study, or unable to use reliable contraception
you have a seizure disorder, severe intellectual disability, or an allergy to MitoQ

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you will first have a blood test to check whether you have the type of cell energy problem this study is targeting. If you do, you'll be randomly assigned to take either the medication or a placebo (a pill that looks identical but contains no active ingredient) once daily for 12 weeks. During the study, you'll complete thinking and memory tests, answer questions about your psychiatric symptoms, and have follow-up blood tests to measure how your cells are responding. The study takes place at either McLean Hospital or Yale School of Medicine.

Testing a new supplement to improve thinking and psychiatric symptoms in early psychosis

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(3 sites)