Efficacy of a Triptan in the Treatment of Hostility and Aggression Among Convicts With a Psychiatric Treatment Order

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose In a double blind randomized clinical trial with cross-over design, treatment using naratriptan will be compared to placebo within a group of 30 convicts with psychiatric disorders such as psychosis or psychopathy with repeated aggressive outbursts resistant to conventional psychopharmacologic and other psychotherapeutic treatment. Hypothesis is that addition of naratriptan to the individual treatment regime reduces aggression -and improves general outcome- as compared to addition of placebo and is well tolerated in this group and under these conditions.
ConditionPsychotic Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Impulse Regulation Disorder
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
InterventionDrug: naratriptan
Drug: placebo
PhasePhase 4
SponsorUMC Utrecht
Responsible PartyUMC Utrecht
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00282165
First ReceivedJanuary 24, 2006
Last UpdatedSeptember 12, 2011
Last verifiedJuly 2010

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateJanuary 24, 2006
Last Updated DateSeptember 12, 2011
Start DateNovember 2006
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2013
Current Primary Outcome Measures
  • number of aggressive incidents [Time Frame: 10 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]
  • aggression scores [Time Frame: 10 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresNot Provided

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleEfficacy of a Triptan in the Treatment of Hostility and Aggression Among Convicts With a Psychiatric Treatment Order
Official TitleEfficacy of a Triptan in the Treatment of Hostility and Aggression Among Convicts With a Psychiatric Treatment Order
Brief Summary
In a double blind randomized clinical trial with cross-over design, treatment using
naratriptan will be compared to placebo within a group of 30 convicts with psychiatric
disorders such as psychosis or psychopathy with repeated aggressive outbursts resistant to
conventional psychopharmacologic and other psychotherapeutic treatment. Hypothesis is that
addition of naratriptan to the individual treatment regime reduces aggression -and improves
general outcome- as compared to addition of placebo and is well tolerated in this group and
under these conditions.
Detailed Description
EFFICACY OF A TRIPTAN IN THE TREATMENT OF HOSTILITY AND AGGRESSION AMONG CONVICTS WITH A
PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT ORDER

Adriano van der Loo*, Dr. Rob van Ojen**, Prof. dr. Frank Koerselman**, Prof. Dr. Henk
Nijman*, Prof. Dr. Berend Olivier***

*Forensic Psychiatric Center De Kijvelanden, Poortugaal; **University Medical Center and
Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience Utrecht; ***Department of Pharmacy, Utrecht
University

Background

In a large number of studies, hostility, impulsivity and aggression have been demonstrated
to be associated with decreased activity of the serotonergic system (Nelson and Chiavegatto
2001). In rodents a specific role for the serotonin-1b receptor has been reported (Olivier
et al. 1995) and it has been shown that specific central serotonin-1b/d agonists such as
lipophilic triptans have a specific anti-aggressive effect. To date, no studies have been
conducted on treatment of hostility, impulsivity or aggression among humans using a triptan.

Goal of the Study

Aim is to establish the efficacy of naratriptan, registered for the treatment of migraine,
as an anti-aggressive agent in patients with refractory disorders of impulse control due to
psychosis or psychopathy.

Primary question is whether or not violent behavior and aggressive incidents decrease when
naratriptan is administered daily in addition to treatment as usual.

Secondary questions are:

- Does overall prognosis of the underlying condition improve with the intervention?

- Can responders be differentiated from non-responders in terms of covariants including
endocrine factors and polymorphisms in areas in the genome that are involved in
serotonergic neurotransmission?

- Is the triptan well tolerated in this group and in this dose-range?

Study Design

Population

The sample consists of male adult volunteers with a psychiatric disorder who have been
convicted and sentenced to undergo psychiatric treatment in Forensic Psychiatric Hospital
"De Kijvelanden" after having committed a violent crime and have in the previous year been
involved in violent incidents at least three times in spite of comprehensive psychiatric
treatment of the underlying disorder.

Intervention /Drug /Dosage

In the course of a four-week period either a naratriptan 2.5 mg. tablet or a placebo tablet
will be added twice to the daily medication in a double blind randomized fashion.
Subsequently, after a two-week washout, patients will cross-over towards the alternative
treatment condition for another four-week period.

Endpoints

Outcome will be measured using the AVL (aggression questionnaire) and the SDAS (social
dysfunction and aggression scale) after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of treatment. Change on the
CGI (Clinical Global Impression) will be compared to baseline. As usual at the study-site,
the SOAS-R (Staff Observation Aggression Scale) will be filled in in case of violent
incidents and type, number and duration of restraining interventions will be registered.
Also recorded will be symptoms occurring during treatment and number and cause of dropout.

Description and Estimate of Risk and Burden for Participants

Safety and tolerability of both naratriptan and placebo are very well documented. Incidence
and nature of side-effects and interactions has been described to be low and relatively
mild, also with frequent (daily) use of naratriptan. Patients at risk for side-effects will
be excluded from the study. Drugs will be added to the usual medication of the participants.
A questionnaire will be administered and blood will be collected upon inclusion in the
study. Data including genotype will be processed anonymously.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 4
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)
Condition
  • Psychotic Disorders
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder
  • Impulse Regulation Disorder
  • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
InterventionDrug: naratriptan
four weeks double blind experimental treatment using oral naratriptan
Drug: placebo
four weeks double blind placebo treatment
Study Arm (s)
  • Placebo Comparator: placebo
    four week double blind placebo treatment phase
  • Active Comparator: naratriptan
    four week double blind experimental treatment using daily naratriptan tablets

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusRecruiting
Estimated Enrollment30
Estimated Completion DateDecember 2013
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2012
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Patient under psychiatric treatment order for violent crime

- More than two violent incidents in the year preceding inclusion, of which at least
one within the last three months

- Patient is undergoing psychiatric treatment

- Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Unable for informed consent

- Intolerance for any prescription compound

- Severe liver failure (Child-Pugh grade c) of renal failure (creatinine clearance < 15
ml/min.)

- Increased risk of coronary vasospasm: symptoms of vascular disorder (including angina
pectoris), history of vascular incidents, severe HBP, ECG-abnormalities in history or
at screening prior to inclusion, vascular of cardial souffles.

- History of vascular incidents, hyperlipidaemia, severe HBP, DM

- Use of vasoconstrictive agents such as ergotamine derivates including methysergide,
or other triptans.

- Increased risk of serotonergic syndrome: use of irreversible MAO-blocker

- Age < 18 yr. or > 65 yr.
GenderMale
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsContact: Robert L van Ojen, MD, PhD
0031-302507109
R.L.vanOjen@umcutrecht.nl
Location CountriesNetherlands

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00282165
Other Study ID Numbers05/187-E
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByUMC Utrecht
Study SponsorUMC Utrecht
CollaboratorsFPC De Kijvelanden, Poortugaal
Investigators Study Chair: Frank Koerselman, MD, PhD UMC UtrechtStudy Director: Rob L. van Ojen, MD, PhD UMC UtrechtStudy Director: Henk Nijman, PhD FPC De Kijvelanden, PoortugaalStudy Director: Berend Olivier, PhD Utrecht University, Dep. of PharmacyPrincipal Investigator: Adriano van der Loo, MD FPC De Kijvelanden
Verification DateJuly 2010

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

FPC De Kijvelanden
Poortugaal, Netherlands, P.O. box 900, 3160AC Rhoon
Contact: Adriano van der Loo, MD | 0031-105031224 | Adriano.van.der.loo@kijvelanden.nl
Principal Investigator: Adriano van der Loo, MD
Recruiting