RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT04267003

Effects of Brain Stimulation on Cognition, Oscillations and GABA Levels in Schizophrenia

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Studies of Cognition, Oscillations and GABA Levels in Schizophrenia

Sponsor

University of California, Davis

Enrollment

160 participants

Start Date

Jan 9, 2020

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Schizophrenia

Summary

People with schizophrenia often have problems with attention, learning and memory and other cognitive abilities that interfere with their work and school performance. Unfortunately, even our best treatments often do not significantly reduce these cognitive problems. The current study investigates whether or not delivering a very small electrical current to people's foreheads (called, transcranial direct current stimulation; (tDCS)) might improve functioning in the front part of the brain and reduce these cognitive problems in people with schizophrenia. tDCS is non-invasive and has been shown to improve cognitive functioning in some preliminary studies. The current study will investigate whether giving tDCS during a task is more effective than giving it during rest (Aim 1), whether delivery of tDCS to the front of the head is more effective than delivery to the back of the head (Aim 2), and whether tDCS delivery will alter levels of a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain (GABA; Aim 3) that is important to cognitive functioning and may be disrupted in people with schizophrenia. Although this study is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat schizophrenia or any other disease, if results are positive it will encourage future large-scale studies to determine if tDCS can become an effective treatment for cognitive problems in people with schizophrenia.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 47 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) — a gentle, non-invasive electrical brain stimulation technique — to test whether it can improve thinking and memory in people with schizophrenia by targeting specific brain wave patterns and brain chemicals. **You may be eligible if:** - You have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder - Your medications have been stable for at least one month and no changes are expected - You are an outpatient or in a partial hospital program - You have a normal IQ (above 70) - You are able to understand and complete cognitive tasks in English - Healthy volunteers without schizophrenia are also eligible for comparison **You may NOT be eligible if:** - You have a pacemaker, implanted electrical stimulator, or defibrillator - You are currently taking the antipsychotic clozapine - You have metal implants in or near the head Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This is a simplified summary. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DEVICETranscranial Direct Current Stimulation

In tDCS, saline-soaked electrodes are temporary affixed to the scalp and connected to a battery-powered current generator. A weak (2 mA) constant current is then briefly applied (\~20 minutes) to stimulate the targeted brain area (e.g. the DLPFC). To control for placebo effects, the study will utilize a sham stimulation protocol that consists of very brief constant stimulation (\~1 minute). Subjects usually cannot discern the difference between the sham and experimental stimulation protocols due to habituation.