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Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to Understand Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Empirical Validation of a Cerebellar-cortical Hallucination Circuit

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Procedures mentioned: MRI scans

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Participants will then undergo an MRI scan that includes structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI)."
  • "One week after the last rTMS session, participants will undergo follow-up MRI imaging and the same study assessments."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to learn about hallucinations, such as hearing or seeing things that are not there. TMS uses a magnetic coil held next to the scalp to change brain activity without surgery. The study is for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and explores how TMS might help these symptoms.

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.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, which involves symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder.

Who can't join

  • Have had a substance use disorder in the past 3 months.
  • Use both hands equally well.
  • Have a condition that makes TMS or an MRI brain scan unsafe.
  • Have a history of a brain or nerve disorder.
  • Have had a head injury that made you lose consciousness.
  • Have had seizures or epilepsy, or have a parent, sibling, or child with epilepsy.
  • Have metal in your brain or skull, or an implanted device such as a pacemaker, medicine pump, nerve stimulator, or tube that drains brain fluid to the belly.
  • Feel trapped or afraid in the enclosed space of an MRI scanner.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder Exclusion Criteria: * 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

Study sites (1)

MA