Investigating brain stimulation effects on cognitive control in schizophrenia

Effects of DLPFC tDCS on Cognition, Oscillations and GABA Levels in Schizophrenia

NIH-funded research University of California-Irvine · NIH-10951161

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California-Irvine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Irvine, United States)
Project IDNIH-10951161 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience cognitive control deficits.

Not a fit: Patients without a diagnosis of schizophrenia or those who do not experience cognitive control issues may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Irvine, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.