Investigating brain stimulation effects on cognitive control in schizophrenia
Official title: Effects of DLPFC tDCS on Cognition, Oscillations and GABA Levels in Schizophrenia
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10951161 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS can help people with schizophrenia improve their focus and thinking skills by targeting a specific area of the brain, and it involves monitoring brain activity while participants receive this treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $428,464 |
| NIH project number | 7R01MH119546-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951161 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience cognitive control deficits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of schizophrenia or those who do not experience cognitive control issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how non-invasive brain stimulation, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), can improve cognitive control in individuals with schizophrenia. By targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the study aims to understand how stimulation affects brain activity and GABA levels, which are crucial for maintaining attention and task goals. Participants will undergo tDCS while their brain activity is monitored using advanced techniques like EEG and MRS to assess changes in cognitive function. The goal is to identify effective stimulation strategies that enhance cognitive performance in schizophrenia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new non-invasive treatments that improve cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggests that similar neurostimulation approaches have shown promise in enhancing cognitive functions in both healthy individuals and those with schizophrenia.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carter, Cameron S. — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Carter, Cameron S.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.