Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) treatment for auditory hallucinations and thinking problems in schizophrenia
Not Applicable
- Conditions
- SchizophreniaMental Health - Schizophrenia
- Registration Number
- ACTRN12611000731998
- Lead Sponsor
- niversity of New South Wales
- Brief Summary
Not available
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Stopped early
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
Inclusion Criteria
Patients will be included if they (1) are competent to give informed consent, as determined by the referring physician or psychiatrist, (2) have persistent symptoms despite treatment with antipsychotic medication for at least 12 months, and (3) are between 18 and 50 years of age.
Exclusion Criteria
Patients will be excluded if (1) they are receiving carbamazepine since it may interfere with the effects of anodal tDCS, (2) have a history of substance abuse or dependence within the past year, (3) have a concomitant neurological disorder, or (4) they are pregnant. Patients will continue their regular medication regime for the duration of the tDCS treatment trial.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Severity of positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia measured by means of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS), and the Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS).[Baseline<br>After each 4 week treatment phase]
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) consisting of a a high resolution structural MRI scan, an MR spectroscopy scan using a MEGA-PRESS technique to measure concentrations of glutamate/glutamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the frontal lobe, and a resting state functional MRI will provide data for connectivity analyses. These brain measures will be correlated with the primary clinical outcome measures.[Baseline<br>After each 4 week treatment phase];Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) genetic analysis and blood levels[Baseline<br>After each 4 week treatment phase];Cognitive function as measured by the MATRICS battery of cognitive tests (especially tests of working memory). [Baseline and week 4]