tACS to help tell self from others 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 uses transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) targeting the medial prefrontal cortex to see if it improves self-other boundary processing in schizophrenia. Participants include patients with schizophrenia, people with high schizotypal traits, and healthy controls, to explore underlying mechanisms through behavioral tasks and brain activity. The protocol involves 10 Hz stimulation at 2 mA for 20 minutes daily over five days, with a sham control for comparison. Two computer-based face-recognition tasks manipulate prior probability and perceptual uncertainty to probe self-other processing.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria
* Presence of hallucinations or delusions
* Age between 18 and 50 years
* Clinically stable on a stable dose of antipsychotic medication for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment, with no anticipated medication changes during the study period
* Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (≥ 20/40) as assessed by standard visual acuity test
* Able to understand and provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury)
* Presence of other major psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder)
* Previous receipt of non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., tACS, tDCS, rTMS)
* History of substance dependence or abuse within the past 6 months
* Metal implants in the head or skull (e.g., cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators)
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Presence of skin lesions, wounds, or sensitive skin at electrode placement sites (Fpz, AF7, AF8, F5, F6)

Where it's running

• The Fourth People's Hospital of Hefei
  Hefei, Anhui, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: long chen
• Email: chen37213@163.com
• Phone: 18712333621

Similar studies

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

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• FEEL-GOOD: Mindfulness group therapy for young adults with early psychosis

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• Brain imaging to understand cognitive issues in schizophrenia and depression

  This study is trying to see how brain imaging can help us understand the memory and thinking problems that people with schizophrenia or depression face in their daily lives.

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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.