The Effects of Auditory Stimulation During Sleep on Brain Networks in Schizophrenia

Last updated: May 13, 2025
Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Tourette's Syndrome

Mood Disorders

Schizotypal Personality Disorder (Spd)

Treatment

Closed loop auditory stimulation during sleep

Clinical Study ID

NCT06386588
2024P000610
  • Ages 18-45
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

In this research study the investigators will use sleep headbands to measure brain rhythms and to improve their coordination across brain regions. The headbands will be worn at home for multiple nights. On some nights the headbands will play soft sounds at specific times during sleep. The investigators are interested in learning whether this timed auditory stimulation may be a strategy to improve the coordination of sleep rhythms across brain regions, improve network communication, and as a result, improve memory. The investigators will study 30 adults aged 18-45 with schizophrenia and 30 demographically matched healthy controls. Participants will first have a daytime MRI scan, during which they will complete a finger tapping motor sequence task (MST), followed by a week of sleep at home with a sleep headband. They will also do the MST at home on two of the nights. On the final day of the study, participants will return for a second MRI scan.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-45 years old

  • Fluent in English

  • Able to give informed consent

Additional inclusion for Adults with schizophrenia:

  • A DSM-V confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia

  • Unmedicated or maintained on a stable dose of APDs

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Ferrous metal in the body

  • Currently pregnant or breastfeeding

  • Motor problems that preclude finger tapping task

  • IQ <85

  • Other neurological disorders, including seizure disorder

  • Significant hearing or vision loss

  • Chronic medical conditions that affect sleep

  • Unstable chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, orcardiac disease

  • Diagnosed sleep disorder, except insomnia

  • History of head injury resulting in prolonged loss of consciousness or otherneurological sequelae

Additional Exclusion Criteria for Healthy adults:

  • History of mental illness

  • Current use of psychotropic medications or treatment with medications known toaffect sleep or cognition

Study Design

Total Participants: 60
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Closed loop auditory stimulation during sleep
Phase:
Study Start date:
February 05, 2025
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2027

Connect with a study center

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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