Testing low‑intensity pulsed ultrasound for schizophrenia symptoms

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 enrolls adults with schizophrenia to receive transcranial ultrasound stimulation targeting the hippocampus and nearby areas. Researchers will monitor safety with physical tests and lab work, plus psychiatric, depression, and cognitive assessments before and after treatment sessions. The primary goal is to determine safety, while a secondary goal is to see if current stimulation parameters may improve symptoms. The findings will help determine whether this approach could be used in future trials for symptom relief.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age: 18-65 years old.
2. Gender: Both males and females are eligible.
3. Diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-V criteria (a PANSS total score of less than approximately 90).
4. No changes in medication (same dosage and same drug) for at least one month.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of head injury with loss of consciousness for more than 10 minutes or a history of brain surgery.
2. Any history of epilepsy.
3. Presence of a family history of epilepsy
4. Heavy alcohol consumption or use of illicit drugs (substance dependence within the last 6 months or substance abuse within the last month).
5. Any significant medical conditions that could affect normal brain function (including but not limited to stroke, CNS infections or tumors, or other major neurological diseases).
6. Presence of a cardiac pacemaker, implanted medication pump, intracardiac lines, or acute/unstable cardiac disease, as well as intracranial implants (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metallic objects in or near the head (excluding oral metal objects)
7. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
8. Presence of suicidal or self-harming tendencies
9. Current use of medications known to lower the seizure threshold or increase the risk of suicidal behavior
10. Presence of severe and uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism), as determined by the investigator to be unsuitable for study participation
11. Patients with uncontrolled diabetic retinopathy accompanied by active fundus hemorrhage
12. Concurrent participation in other clinical studies or clinical trials
13. Presence of contraindications to the medical devices used in this study (including pulsed ultrasound, EEG, and CT), such as unheindividuals with obvious head trauma, unhealed head surgery, or significant physical or psychiatric symptoms.
14. Any other conditions deemed unsuitable for participation in the clinical trial as assessed by the physician.

Where it's running

• Far Eastern Memorial Hospital
  New Taipei City, Taiwan Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Yi-Ju Pan
• Email: panyiju0211@gmail.com
• Phone: +2168 886-2-8966-7000

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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.