tDCS targeting the brain's motion-processing pathway (MT+) to improve emotion recognition
Sensory Contributions to Third Visual Pathway Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: Correlation and Causation
See if personalized, MR-guided tDCS over the motion-processing area of the brain can improve face emotion recognition in adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Orangeburg, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT07469384 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, blinded, parallel-group study tests personalized, MR-guided cathodal high-definition tDCS (pHD-tDCS) applied to the motion-sensitive middle temporal complex (MT+) to try to reverse motion-processing and social cognitive deficits in schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. One hundred twenty participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder will be randomized to active or sham stimulation and compared with 30 healthy controls evaluated cross-sectionally. Participants undergo baseline clinical and cognitive testing, fMRI and EEG/ERP while viewing moving dot and dynamic face stimuli, followed by a blinded intervention with individualized electrode targeting. Primary outcomes include changes in MT+, pSTS and mSTS activation and fractional occupancy of a TVP-related CAP state, with behavioral measures of motion discrimination, dynamic face emotion recognition, and TASIT sarcasm scores.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–55 with a DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, IQ >70, no more than moderately ill, clinically stable on permitted medications, and able to undergo MRI and tDCS are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with contraindications to MRI or tDCS (e.g., metal implants, pacemaker, seizure history), unstable medical or neurological illness, active substance dependence, high suicide risk, or those outside the 18–55 age range are unlikely to qualify or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve facial emotion recognition and motion-processing deficits in schizophrenia, which may lead to better social cognition and daily functioning.
How similar studies have performed: Previous tDCS studies in schizophrenia have shown mixed and generally modest effects on cognition and social cognition, while MR-guided HD-tDCS specifically targeting MT+ is a relatively novel and less-tested approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female subject, age 18-55 2. Competent and willing to sign informed consent 3. No more than moderately ill 4. SCID DSM-5 diagnosis of Sz/SzAff 5. WAIS IQ \>70 6. Does not meet current criteria for DSM-5 defined substance abuse or dependence or have a history of diagnosis within past 6 months 7. On medication within clinically approved range 8. Does not meet criteria for another DSM-5 disorder other than those judged to be minor (e.g. simple phobia) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Significant neurological illness or history of significant head trauma 2. Unstable physical illness or significant auditory/visual deficits that might interfer 3. Contraindication to MRI (e.g. metal implants, claustrophobia, pregnancy) 4. Contraindications to tDCS including metal implant, pacemaker, history of seizure, traumatic brain injury or stroke 5. Significant risk for suicide 6. Has a history of an illness, disease, condition injury, or disability which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may interfere with the completion of all study requirements per protocol, impact the quality of the data, or the validity of the study results, including unstable physical illness, significant neurological illness, significant head trauma 7. Moderate or greater DSM-5 current substance use disorder, defined based on the presence of 4 or more of 11 substance use criteria within the past 12 months. In addition, individuals for whom substance use leads to not being able to perform work, home or school activities
Where this trial is running
Orangeburg, New York
- Nathan Kline Institute — Orangeburg, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Daniel C Javitt, MD, PhD — Nathan Kline Institute
- Study coordinator: Odeta Beggel, MA
- Email: odeta.beggel@nki.rfmh.org
- Phone: 845-398-2897
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.