Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on Persistent Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Last updated: January 6, 2020
Sponsor: University of Ottawa
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Tourette's Syndrome

Mood Disorders

Psychosis

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT04222582
2017020
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

Many individuals with schizophrenia struggle with auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs). In some cases, these AVHs can be resistant to medication treatment. Previous research has found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be helpful in treating symptoms in individuals with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression. This study will assess if tDCS is effective in treating AVHs in individuals with schizophrenia. tDCS is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation which uses a weak current to temporarily excite or inhibit underlying cortical regions with small electrodes placed on the scalp. tDCS has been found to improve mental processes, including attention and memory function. In addition to examining the effect of tDCS on AVHs, this study will assess the effects of tDCS on mood as well as brain electrical activity with electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. As an additional component, participants will be invited to participate in neuroimaging. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brain activity and structure will be examined before and after tDCS. tDCS will be administered twice daily for 5 consecutive days for a total of 10 sessions. These study findings will contribute to the understanding of the impact of tDCS on AVHs, and will also increase knowledge of sound and memory/cognitive processing in individuals with schizophrenia.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Patients - Inclusion Criteria:

  • Primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

  • Clinically stable (discretion of psychiatrist)

  • Consistent history of AVHs over the course of illness

  • >3 AVHs per week

  • Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) score of >3

  • Primary medications limited to one of the atypical antipsychotics (medicationsstabilized for 4 weeks prior to enrollment)

Exclusion

Patients - Exclusion Criteria:

  • Experiencing an acute psychotic episode

  • Current drug/alcohol dependence

  • Significant medical illness & mental retardation/learning disability

  • Extra-pyramidal symptoms resulting in disordered movement

  • Abnormal audiometric assessment (thresholds for pure tones >25 dB)

  • History of significant neurological issues & head injuries/concussions resulting inloss of consciousness for >5 minutes Healthy Controls - Inclusion Criteria:

  • In good physical health

  • No history of serious mental health issues Healthy Controls - Exclusion Criteria:

  • Personal history of psychiatric disorder

  • Family history of schizophrenia in first degree relatives & history of mental healthissues in first degree relatives that required extensive treatment or hospitalization

  • Current/history of substance abuse

  • Significant medical illness

  • Extra-pyramidal symptoms resulting in movement disorder

  • Abnormal audiometric assessment (thresholds for pure tones >25 dB)

  • Significant neurological issues & head injuries/concussions resulting in loss ofconsciousness for >5 minutes

Study Design

Total Participants: 84
Study Start date:
January 01, 2019
Estimated Completion Date:
January 31, 2021

Connect with a study center

  • Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

    Ottawa, Ontario K1Z7K4
    Canada

    Active - Recruiting

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