Levetiracetam in Early Psychosis

Inclusion criteria

• Males and females 16 to 35 years of age, inclusive, at time of informed consent
• Must have experienced a first episode of non-affective psychosis within 5 years and exhibit current psychosis, as defined by a score of ≥ 2 on one of the following psychosis items on the BPRS: conceptual disorganization, suspiciousness, hallucinations, unusual thought content, or grandiosity, for at least 4 days per week for at least 4 weeks
• Must have a diagnosis of either schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or schizophreniform disorder as established by a Structured Clinical Interview for DSMIV TR (SCID)
• Must not have taken an oral antipsychotic medication within the past 4 weeks prior to study enrollment or received a long acting injectable antipsychotic within 3 times the dosing interval
• If female and of childbearing potential, patients must:

• Have a negative urine pregnancy test (all females regardless of childbearing potential will be required to submit a pregnancy test)
• Not be nursing or planning a pregnancy for the duration of the study through 30 days after the last dosing visit
• Be abstinent or willing to use a reliable method of birth control from the screening visit and continue with the same method until termination from the study

Exclusion criteria

• Current substance abuse or dependence for substances other than nicotine and THC (i.e., alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates)

• A positive urine toxic screen (excluding THC, tricyclic antidepressants, or benzodiazepines (if prescribed))
• Moderate or severe cannabis use disorder
• Use of marijuana within the 72 hours prior to MRI scanning by self report
• Diagnosis of major mood disorder or other Axis I disorder other than Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder or Schizophreniform Disorder
• Current suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation with intent or plan (indicated by affirmative answers to items 4 or 5 of the suicidal ideation section of the baseline C-SSRS) in the 6 months prior to screening or subjects who represent a significant risk of suicide in the opinion of the Principal Investigator and/or PhD or MD level clinician completing screening visit
• Pregnant, nursing or positive urine pregnancy test
• Significant medical or neurological illness by history or physical exam including seizure disorder, history of loss of consciousness related to head trauma or developmental disorder including mental retardation
• Metal implants, pacemaker, or other metal in the body or medicinal patch
• History of claustrophobia
• Currently taking any antipsychotic medication (within 4 weeks)