Schizophrenia
Conditions
Keywords
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left superior temporal gyrus, auditory hallucinations, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate tDCS effects on schizophrenia symptoms, particularly on auditory verbal hallucinations. tDCS applied with cathodal (inhibitory) electrode over the left temporal parietal junction and anodal (excitatory) electrode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
Interventions
DEVICEActive tDCS
repetitive daily tDCS sessions for a period of one week
DEVICEcontrol
Sponsors
Herzog Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Ages 18-60 * Primary diagnosis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition, schizophrenia * Persistent auditory verbal hallucinations * Right handed * Under stable doses of antipsychotic medication for ≥4 weeks * Normal hearing by self-report and physical exam * Use of effective method of birth control for women of childbearing capacity * Capable to provide informed consent. For patients judged to be incapable to provide informed consent the legal guardian of the patient must agree to participation in the study and provide signed informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Current or past history of substance dependence or abuse (excluding nicotine) * Other current Axis I disorders * History of seizure, epilepsy in self or first degree relatives, stoke, brain surgery, head injury, intracranial metal implants, known structural brain lesion, devices that may be affected by tDCS (pacemaker, medication pump, cochlear implant, implanted brain stimulator) * Frequent and persistent migraines * History of adverse reaction to neurostimulation * Participation in study of investigational medication within 6 weeks * Pregnancy * Women who are breast-feeding * Current significant laboratory abnormality
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| change from baseline in auditory hallucination rating scale | 1 week post-treatment |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| change in self-report quality of life scale from baseline | 1 week post treatment |
Other
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| change from baseline in auditory event related potentials (ERP) | change in auditory ERP from baseline at 1 week |
Countries
Israel
Outcome results
None listed