Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) for Auditory Hallucinations in Early Onset Schizophrenia (EOS)

Not Applicable

Terminated

Brief Summary: Youths diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia will demonstrate amelioration of auditory hallucinations after one week of twice daily treatment with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).

Detailed Description: Background: Early onset schizophrenia (EOS) involves positives symptoms such as psychotic behaviors, as well as negative symptoms such as disruptions to normal emotions and behaviors. Antipsychotics are the primary method of treatment in pediatric populations, but can produce unpleasant or dangerous side effects. Medication response is highly variable. Recent evidence demonstrates transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) relieving auditory hallucinations (AH) associated with schizophrenia in adults, and to a lesser degree negative and cognitive symptomology. Such studies provide important scientific and technical knowledge that may be applied to pediatric populations.

Hypothesis: 1. Primary: Youths with EOS will demonstrate amelioration of AH after administration of tDCS. 2. TDCS will be well-tolerated in pediatric populations with minimal adverse side effects.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) Disorders (SCID) primary diagnosis of DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Version IV) schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
Ages 8 to 25 years-old
Persistent auditory hallucinations
Full Scale intelligent quotient (IQ) greater than 60.
Stable antipsychotic medication for > 4 weeks
If female and not infertile patient must agree to use one of the following forms of contraception for the duration of study participation: systemic hormonal treatment or an interuterine device (IUD).
Legal guardian has provided written informed consent and the subject has provided written informed assent when able. Expectation that a majority of subjects will be able to assent but the potential for the younger children and/or those that are of borderline intellectual functioning will not be able to assent.

Exclusion Criteria

History of alcohol, substance dependence or abuse in the past 90 days
Open skin wounds that would preclude use of TDCS electrodes
If female, pregnancy or breast feeding, as determined during eligibility pre-screen call
Subjects exhibiting significant ongoing severe disruptive, aggressive, self-injurious, or sexually inappropriate behavior will not be eligible for enrollment.
Presence of any medical condition that would make treatment with tDCS less safe. This includes any implanted metal device or any cardiac pacemaker. Subjects with a history of a seizure disorder are permitted if the subject has been seizure free for 6 months and is currently treated with an anticonvulsant that has been stable for 4 weeks.
Presence of any other condition that would make the participants unable to comply with the requirements of the study for any reason. This may include an appreciable hearing or visual impairment.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention Active tDCS	Intervention Active tDCS	Affected subjects receiving up to 2 milliamps (mA) active tDCS, open label

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Severity of Auditory Hallucinations Measured by Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale	Baseline to last observation: at baseline, following 5 days of TDCS, pre-specified every 3 months for up to 12 months, 2 week time point achieved	The primary efficacy assessment is the mean change from baseline to the last observed post-baseline visit in total score on the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS). Minimum score is 2, maximum score is 41, higher score indicates more severe symptoms.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Schizophrenia Symptom Type as Measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)	Baseline to last observation: at baseline, following 5 days of TDCS, and pre-specified 1, 3, and 6 months, expected average of 3 months for us to 12 months, post-TDCS timepoint achieved	The primary secondary outcome measure will be the change in severity of other symptoms of schizophrenia, assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) from baseline to last observation, expected average of every 3 months. The PANSS can be computed as a dimensional scale including positive, negative, depression, disorganization, and grandiosity/excitement. Both the positive and negative scales have minimum scores of 7 and maximum scores of 49. The general scale has a minimum score of 16 and a maximum score of 112. Total score minimum is 30 and total score maximum is 210. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Change in Disorder Severity as Measured by Clinical Global Impressions Severity Scales (CGI-S)	Baseline to last observation: at baseline, following 5 days of TDCS, pre-specified at 1, 3, and 6 months, expected average of 3 months for up to 12 months, post-TDCS time point achieved	Mean change from baseline to the last observed post-baseline visit Clinical Global Impression (CGI-S) severity scales. The minimum score on the CGI-S is 1 and the maximum score is 7. A higher score indicates more severe illness.