Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to Understand Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Last updated: March 11, 2024
Sponsor: Mclean Hospital
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Psychosis

Schizophrenia And Schizoaffective Disorders (Pediatric)

Mood Disorders

Treatment

Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Clinical Study ID

NCT05343598
2021P002459
R01MH126000
  • Ages 18-55
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study uses a noninvasive technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study how hallucinations work in schizophrenia.

TMS is a noninvasive way of stimulating the brain, using a magnetic field to change activity in the brain. The magnetic field is produced by a coil that is held next to the scalp. In this study the investigators will be stimulating the brain to learn more about how TMS might improve these symptoms of schizophrenia.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • substance use disorder in past 3 months
  • ambidexterity
  • contraindications for TMS or MRI including :
  • history of neurological disorder
  • history of head trauma resulting in loss of consciousness
  • history of seizures or diagnosis of epilepsy or first degree relative family historyof epilepsy
  • metal in brain or skull
  • implanted devices such as a pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator orventriculoperitoneal shunt
  • claustrophobic in MRI

Study Design

Total Participants: 68
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Phase:
Study Start date:
October 13, 2021
Estimated Completion Date:
October 31, 2026

Study Description

This study tests the hypothesis that hallucinations in schizophrenia are mediated by network pathophysiology, and that network pathophysiology can be quantified by the functional connectivity of a cerebellar-thalamo-cortical circuit. To accomplish this, participants will be recruited who are diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who experience auditory hallucinations.

Participants will undergo an initial screening session to complete informed consent and undergo baseline assessments of schizophrenia symptom severity. These assessments include reporter-based measures such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

Participants will then undergo an MRI scan that includes structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). These rsfMRI imagines will be used to isolate individual resting state networks for targeting of rTMS modulation.

Participants will then undergo five days of twice daily rTMS sessions.

One week after the last rTMS session, participants will undergo follow-up MRI imaging and the same study assessments.

Connect with a study center

  • McLean Hospital

    Belmont, Massachusetts 02478
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.