Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to Understand Hallucinations in Schizophrenia
Empirical Validation of a Cerebellar-cortical Hallucination Circuit
Mclean Hospital
68 participants
Oct 13, 2021
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This study uses a noninvasive technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study how hallucinations work in schizophrenia. TMS is a noninvasive way of stimulating the brain, using a magnetic field to change activity in the brain. The magnetic field is produced by a coil that is held next to the scalp. In this study the investigators will be stimulating the brain to learn more about how TMS might improve these symptoms of schizophrenia.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria1
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
Exclusion Criteria9
- substance use disorder in past 3 months
- ambidexterity
- contraindications for TMS or MRI including :
- history of neurological disorder
- history of head trauma resulting in loss of consciousness
- history of seizures or diagnosis of epilepsy or first degree relative family history of epilepsy
- metal in brain or skull
- implanted devices such as a pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator or ventriculoperitoneal shunt
- claustrophobic in MRI
Interventions
rTMS is a technique of TMS that allows for selective external manipulation of neural activity in a non-invasive manner. During rTMS a rapidly changing current is passed through an insulated coil placed against the scalp. This generates a temporary magnetic field, which in turn induces electrical current in neurons and allows for modulation of neural circuitry. The rTMS pulses will be delivered in a pattern consisting of 2 s trains of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz every 10s for 600 total pulses.
rTMS is a technique of TMS that allows for selective external manipulation of neural activity in a non-invasive manner. During rTMS a rapidly changing current is passed through an insulated coil placed against the scalp. This generates a temporary magnetic field, which in turn induces electrical current in neurons and allows for modulation of neural circuitry. The rTMS pulses will be delivered in a pattern consisting of 2 s trains of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz every 10s for 600 total pulses. Sham is achieved by using a coil with a magnetic shield preventing magnetic field from reaching the head.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT05343598