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The Oxford study of Calcium channel Antagonism, Cognition, Mood instability and Sleep (OxCaMS): study protocol for a

Lauren Z Atkinson1,2,3, Lucy Colbourne1,2,3, Alexander Smith1,2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK.

Trials
|February 14, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study investigates L-type calcium channel (LTCC) antagonists, like nicardipine, for potential psychiatric disorder treatments. The Oxford study (OxCaMS) examines nicardipine

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Voltage-gated calcium channel genes, including CACNA1C, are implicated in psychiatric disorders.
  • L-type calcium channel (LTCC) antagonists, used for hypertension, show potential for psychiatric conditions.
  • Previous use of LTCC antagonists in bipolar disorder yielded inconclusive results, with limited understanding of their broader brain and behavioral effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of the LTCC antagonist nicardipine on mood instability in healthy young adults.
  • To assess nicardipine's impact on cognitive, psychiatric, circadian, physiological, biochemical, and neuroimaging parameters.
  • To explore the potential of LTCC antagonists for repurposing in psychiatric disorders affecting cognition, mood, and sleep.

Main Methods:

  • The Oxford study of Calcium channel Antagonism, Cognition, Mood instability and Sleep (OxCaMS) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental medicine study.
  • Participants received nicardipine or placebo after 2 weeks of baseline measurements.
  • Measurements included cognitive tests, psychiatric assessments, circadian rhythm monitoring, physiological and biochemical analyses, and neuroimaging (fMRI, MEG).
  • Participants were genotyped for the CACNA1C risk polymorphism rs1006737.

Main Results:

  • This section is not available in the provided abstract.

Conclusions:

  • Results will clarify the therapeutic potential of LTCC antagonists for psychiatric disorders.
  • Findings may guide the repurposing or modification of LTCC antagonists for conditions involving cognition, mood, and sleep disturbances.
Keywords:
Bipolar disorderCalcium blockersCalcium channel antagonistsDepressionFunctional magnetic resonance imagingMagnetoencephalographyMood instabilitySleepWorking memory

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