Accelerated Brain Stimulation for Young People at Risk of Psychosis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

In this pilot, 40 participants aged 18-34 at clinical high risk for psychosis are randomized to active accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation or sham stimulation targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The treatment is delivered over five consecutive days using a BEAM-F3 scalp target, without MRI navigation. Researchers will monitor safety, tolerability, depressive symptoms, cognitive performance, and digital biomarkers from wearables, smartphones, and speech analysis to identify potential treatment-related signals for future trials.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Meets clinical CHR-P criteria, confirmed by the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes (SIPS)
* Clinical team confirms sufficient stability to participate
* Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy, lactation, or intrauterine device
* History of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the past 6 months
* Substance use during the treatment week (cigarettes and cannabis excluded from this consideration)
* Contraindications for TMS (e.g., metal implants in head/neck, seizure history, brain tumor/neurosurgery, severe cardiac disease)
* Previous rTMS treatment
* Documented history of significant intellectual disability

Where it's running

• McGill Lab for Computational Psychiatry and Translation
  Verdun, Quebec, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: David Benrimoh — McGill University, Department of Psychiatry
• Study coordinator: Ashley Choucroun
• Email: ashley.choucroun.comtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
• Phone: 5146593488

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Auditory Hallucinations

  This study tests whether theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation can lessen persistent auditory verbal hallucinations in adults with schizophrenia-spectrum or psychotic disorders who have not responded to antipsychotic meds.

  Recruiting Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal · Montreal, Quebec · NCT07902518

• Small Soteria-inspired unit vs. standard closed ward for acute psychosis

  A randomized or semi-randomized comparison tests whether a small Soteria-style inpatient unit improves outcomes for adults with acute psychosis compared to a conventional closed psychiatric ward.

  Recruiting Jerusalem Mental Health Center · Jerusalem, Jerusalem · NCT07836348

• Recovery-oriented suicide prevention for young people at clinical high risk for psychosis

  This program tests a peer-supported, clinician-led suicide prevention group for young people at clinical high risk for psychosis to see if it helps reduce suicidal thoughts and support recovery.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of California, San Diego · Los Angeles, California and 1 other locations · NCT07756567

• Mindfulness group experiences for young people at high risk for or early in psychosis

  This project tries to understand how group mindfulness sessions feel for French-speaking young people aged 15–30 who are at ultra‑high risk for psychosis or have had a first episode.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Centre Psychothérapique de Nancy · Laxou and 1 other locations · NCT07499934

• Racial differences in how people experience paranoia

  This project will see if brief race-related stressful experiences increase feelings of paranoia in Black American adults who take online surveys.

  Recruiting Indiana University · Bloomington, Indiana · NCT07460453

• Yoga-based group program plus usual care for outpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

  This project will see if a 12-week yoga-based group program added to usual outpatient care helps adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders reduce stress and symptom-related distress compared with exercise or usual care alone.

  Recruiting Charite University, Berlin, Germany · Berlin · NCT07455929

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.