Alternative Stimulation Mode and Location for Auditory Hallucination Neuromodulation Treatment
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Summary
The purpose of the study is to test the hypothesis that functionally navigated repetitive TMS stimulations to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) modulate aberrant cortical electrical activities at PFC circuitry. The TMS location of the PFC site will be individually localized by the symptom-related functional connectivity between PFC and symptom related areas (such as the auditory and language processing cortex). The investigators predict that such modulation will correct abnormal activities in patients with schizophrenia, reduce symptoms, especially auditory hallucination, and improve working memory/sustained attention performance.
Description
Neuroimaging studies suggest that aberrant activities at specific brain regions such as sensory areas and language-related areas are related to psychosis symptoms including auditory and visual hallucination, delusion, and thought disorders. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) provides a non-invasive means for altering brain electrical neural activity. TMS has been approved by FDA for treatment of depression. Other applications have not been approved but it has been used in a wide range of clinical research especially in neurology and psychiatry. Among psychotic symptoms, there are prelimin…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female ages between ages 18-50 years * Ability to give written informed consent (age 18 or above) * Diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and Evaluation to Sign Consent (ESC) above 10. * Is currently under the care of a licensed primary care provider or mental healthcare provider (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker). * Have auditory hallucinations despite treated by two or more antipsychotics including one atypical antipsychotic medication. * Agrees to: (a) provide written permission, as requested, to a…
Interventions
- DeviceActive rTMS stimulation
Participants will receive two rTMS sessions in each treatment visit for up to 22 visits within about 6 weeks. There is a 30-minute rest between the two rTMS sessions.
- DeviceSham rTMS stimulation
Participants will receive two sham rTMS sessions in each treatment visit for up to 22 visits within about 6 weeks. There is a 30-minute rest between the two sham rTMS sessions.
Location
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, Texas