Brain stimulation to improve cognitive function in schizophrenia

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

This study investigates the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive abilities in individuals with schizophrenia. It aims to determine if delivering a small electrical current to the forehead during cognitive tasks is more effective than during rest, and whether targeting the front of the head is more beneficial than the back. Additionally, the study will assess changes in GABA levels, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter, as a result of tDCS. The goal is to find a non-invasive method to enhance cognitive functioning in this population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must be able to sufficiently speak and understand English so as to be able to understand and complete cognitive tasks.
* All subjects must have the ability to give valid informed consent.

Inclusion Criteria for Patients with Schizophrenia Only:

* Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder
* No medication changes in the prior month
* No medication changes anticipated in the upcoming month
* Stable outpatient or partial hospital status
* Normal IQ (\>70; IQ will be measured by administering the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of
* Intelligence (WASI) test)
* Must not be currently taking the antipsychotic clozapine

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pacemakers
* Implanted electrical (brain and spinal) stimulators
* Implanted defibrillator
* Metallic implants
* Skin damage or skin conditions such as eczema at the sites where electrodes will be placed
* Hair styles hindering the placement of electrodes
* Cranial pathologies
* Head trauma
* Epilepsy
* Mental retardation
* Any known history of neurological disorders (including epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, cerebral palsy, any DSM-5 axis I psychiatric disorder (for healthy control subjects), autism)
* Uncorrected vision problems that would hinder cognitive testing (this also pertains to subjects with color blindness in tasks where discriminating colored objects/items is necessary for successful performance)
* Pregnancy
* Substance dependence in the past six months
* Substance abuse in the past month

Where it's running

• Imaging Research Center
  Sacramento, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Molly A Bainbridge
• Email: mebainbridge@ucdavis.edu
• Phone: (916) 734-8779

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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.