Enhancing brain function in schizophrenia using magnetic stimulation
Causal Role of Medial Prefrontal Neural Activity in Self-Agency in Schizophrenia
This study is testing if a special brain stimulation treatment can help people with schizophrenia feel more in control of their actions and improve their thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 160 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT04807530 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This trial investigates the cognitive and neural causes of self-agency deficits in schizophrenia by using navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (nrTMS) on the medial prefrontal cortex. It involves both patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls, assessing their responses to nrTMS and how it affects their self-agency and cognitive functions. Participants will undergo a series of assessments, including neuroimaging and cognitive evaluations, before being randomly assigned to receive either active nrTMS or a control treatment. The goal is to understand how enhancing mPFC activity can improve symptoms and daily functioning in schizophrenia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who are clinically stable and meet specific health criteria.
Not a fit: Patients with neurological disorders, substance use disorders, or those who are pregnant may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new neuromodulation therapies that significantly improve cognitive and functional outcomes for patients with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation have shown promise in treating various neurological and psychiatric conditions, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: All Subjects: * Good general physical health * English is first language * No neurological disorder * Meets MRI criteria * No current alcohol or substance use disorder Schizophrenia participants: * Schizophrenia diagnosis of any illness duration, * Clinical stability, defined as 12 weeks outpatient status and 4 weeks low to moderate dose of antipsychotic medication (\<1000 mg. chlorpromazine equivalents), plus stable doses of all other psychotropic medications Exclusion Criteria: All Subjects: * Implanted metallic parts of implanted electronic devices * Pregnant or trying to become pregnant * Any condition that would prevent the subject from giving voluntary informed consent * Scalp wounds or infections * Claustrophobia precluding MRI * Ongoing seizures * Neurological disorder
Where this trial is running
San Francisco, California
- UCSF — San Francisco, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Karuna Subramaniam, PhD — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Karuna Subramaniam, Ph.D
- Email: karuna.subramaniam@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 415-221-4810
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.