RecruitingNot Applicable

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

United States68 participantsStarted 2021-10-13

Plain-language 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.

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 55 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder 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 history of epilepsy * metal in brain or skull * implanted devices such as a pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator or ventriculoperitoneal shunt * claustrophobic in MRI

What they're measuring

functional connectivity

Timeframe: baseline, 1 week after TMS

Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Timeframe: baseline

Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS)

Timeframe: baseline

Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) Scale (AHRS)

Timeframe: baseline

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05343598

SponsorMclean Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-10-31

Contact for this trial

Mark Halko, PhD

mhalko@mclean.harvard.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Schizophrenia trials