TMS for Schizophrenia

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Xiaoming Du, PhD

Research Sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Male and Female between ages 21-62

Be between 18 and 65 years old

Must not have

Cardiac pacemakers, implanted medication pumps, intracardiac lines, or acute, unstable cardiac disease, with intracranial implants (e.g. aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed

History of head injury with loss of consciousness over 10 minutes; history of brain surgery

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline, intermittent (before or at the beginning of treatment visit 11, about 2 weeks after baseline), end of acute treatment (after treatment visit 20, about 4 weeks after baseline)

Summary

This trial is testing whether electrical stimulations to the prefrontal cortex can help reduce symptoms in people with schizophrenia, specifically auditory hallucinations and poor working memory/sustained attention.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults aged 21-62 with schizophrenia, stable on their current medication for at least 4 weeks. They must be able to consent and not have a history of seizures, family epilepsy, significant substance abuse recently (except nicotine or marijuana), or take high doses of clozapine. Pregnant women and those with metal implants near the head can't participate.

What is being tested?

The study tests if targeted repetitive TMS (a non-invasive brain stimulation) to the prefrontal cortex can improve symptoms like auditory hallucinations and attention in schizophrenia patients. It compares active rTMS against sham (fake) treatment to see if it corrects abnormal brain activity.

What are the potential side effects?

rTMS may cause discomfort at the stimulation site, headache, lightheadedness, or twitching facial muscles during treatment. Seizures are rare but possible; hence people with seizure history aren't eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I am between 21 and 62 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I do not have a pacemaker, metal implants near my head, or unstable heart disease.

Select...

I have had a head injury with unconsciousness over 10 minutes or brain surgery.

Select...

I have a history of seizures.

Select...

A close family member has epilepsy.

Select...

I do not have any major illnesses affecting my brain function.

Select...

I am taking more than 400 mg of clozapine daily.

Select...

I am pregnant or might be pregnant.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline, intermittent (before or at the beginning of treatment visit 11, about 2 weeks after baseline), end of acute treatment (after treatment visit 20, about 4 weeks after baseline)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline, intermittent (before or at the beginning of treatment visit 11, about 2 weeks after baseline), end of acute treatment (after treatment visit 20, about 4 weeks after baseline)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, intermittent (before or at the beginning of treatment visit 11, about 2 weeks after baseline), end of acute treatment (after treatment visit 20, about 4 weeks after baseline) for reporting.