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Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Using Tdcs of the Third (of Many) Visual Pathways

Sensory Contributions to Third Visual Pathway Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: Correlation and Causation

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

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

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 tests whether tDCS, which uses weak electrical currents on the scalp, can help adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder read emotions on faces. It compares real and pretend stimulation of a brain area that processes motion. Brain scans (fMRI) and recordings of brain electrical activity (EEG) will measure responses while people watch moving dots and faces.

This study investigates the ability of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the motion processing area of the brain (area MT) to improve face emotion recognition (FER) ability. tDCS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation in which low level currents are applied over the scalp to influence underlying brain function. In schizophrenia, impaired ability to detect facial motion has been shown to contribute to impaired FER, which, in turn, leads to difficulties in social cognition and poor social outcome. The study will use both fMRI and EEG to measure brain function while participants view moving dot and dynamic face stimuli. Analyses will compare changes in fMRI and EEG activity in individuals receiving active vs. sham stimulation.

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

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Are 18 to 55 years old.
  • Can understand the study and are willing to sign a consent form.
  • Have symptoms that are no more than moderate.
  • Have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, as confirmed by a standard interview.
  • Have an IQ score above 70 on the required test.
  • Do not currently meet criteria for substance abuse or dependence and have not had either diagnosis in the past 6 months.
  • Take medicine at a dose within the approved range.
  • Have no other mental health disorder unless it is considered minor, such as a fear of a specific thing.

Who can't join

  • Have a serious brain or nerve illness, or a history of a serious head injury.
  • Have an unstable physical illness or major hearing or vision problems that could affect participation.
  • Cannot safely have an MRI, for example because of metal implants, fear of enclosed spaces, or pregnancy.
  • Cannot safely receive tDCS, for example because of a metal implant, pacemaker, past seizure, brain injury, or stroke.
  • Have a significant risk of suicide.
  • Have a health condition, injury, or disability that the study leader believes could prevent completion or affect the study results.
  • Have a current moderate or severe substance use disorder, with at least 4 of 11 diagnostic signs in the past 12 months, or substance use that prevents work, home, or school activities.

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

Official eligibility 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

Study sites (1)

NY