Enhancing Synaptic Plasticity and Cognition in Schizophrenia

Enhancing Synaptic Plasticity and Cognition by Physical Exercise and Cognitive Training in Schizophrenia: A Randomised Controlled Trial

To explore: (a) if physical exercise (sports) combined with cognitive training leads to (superior) improvement of cognition in schizophrenia compared to sports or cognitive training alone (b) if a sports program alone or in combination with cognitive training has influence on hippocampal pathology and synaptic plasticity in schizophrenia compared to a placebo condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia (based on ICD-10 criteria)
• Age between 18 and 55
• Verbal IQ ≥ 85
• Stable psychopathology on constant medication for 2 weeks
• Informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients, who are

• not willing or able to participate in the sports program and cognitive training
• reveal a significant worsening of psychopathology (based on an increase over 20% of the PANSS positive score)
• have an organic mental disorder (such as intoxication or neurological disorders of the CNS)
• suffer from instable somatic diseases
• have an active substance abuse