Metformin in Co-morbid Diabetes or Prediabetes and Serious Mental Illness

Schizophrenia is associated with a lifespan shortened by 20 years, due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), with antipsychotic (AP) medications understood to contribute to this risk through associated metabolic side-effects. Metformin, a medication used to treat prediabetes, and diabetes in the general population, holds promise with regard to reduction of AP-related metabolic problems, but has not been directly tested in early episode patients beyond weight loss, nor specifically in patients with diabetes or prediabetes and psychosis. We propose to replicate findings that metformin can reduce weight gain, and dysglycemia uniquely focusing on an early episode population diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes. To help determine long-term risk/benefit of adjunctive metformin, we propose to look at changes in abdominal and liver fat, two well-established risk factors for CVD. Given links between dysglycemia, obesity with hippocampal volume loss and cognitive dysfunction, we will explore if improvements in metabolic indices are associated in changes in cognition and brain structure.

This is a 16 week, double-blind, randomized pilot study, which proposes to recruit 24 patients with schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorders (DSM 5), who are overweight or obese (BMI \>25) and have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Randomization occurs on a 2:1 basis, with 16 patients randomised to metformin, and 8 to placebo. Metfomin/placebo is dispensed monthly. The baseline and /or screening visit includes a physical exam (including anthropometric measures), medical history, fasting blood work (glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipids, electrolytes, thyroid, liver/kidney function), in addition to a urine drug screen. Women of child-bearing age are given a pregnancy test. Patients who meet inclusion criteria and consent to the study have an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and a baseline abdominal and brain MRI (to respectively assess visceral adiposity, a key risk factor for CV disease, and hippocampal volumes). Anthropometric measures and pill counts are repeated bi-weekly. At week 8, fasting insulin/glucose, HbA1C, and liver function tests are measured. End of study measures (week 16), include the same panel of bloodwork conducted at baseline, as well as a repeat OGTT, and an abdominal and brain MRI. Rountine psychopathology scales, including BPRS, CGI, and CDS will be measured at baseline, and week 16. The Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) will also be completed at baseline, and study end.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients within 5 years of diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder , or bipolar disorder(DSM V), or those younger than 40 years old, regardless of duration of illness
* Co-morbid diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes (Canadian or American Diabetes Association criteria)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with co-morbid axis, other than nicotine dependence, or cannabis abuse
* Patients with liver, or renal dysfunction,
* Patients with a positive drug urine screen (other than cannabis or nicotine)
* Females with a positive pregnancy test will be excluded.
* Prior trial with metformin, and reported lack of tolerability
* Patients with an A1C \> 9.5%, or symptomatic hyperglycemia with metabolic decompensation