Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Used to Treat Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia
- Sponsor
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Enrollment
- 10
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Hoffman Auditory Hallucination Scale
- Last Updated
- 14 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease. Auditory hallucinations are the most frequent symptoms with an incident of 50% to 70% in patients.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can significantly reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. TMS is capable of inducing changes in the electrical activities of the brain in humans.
The purpose of this trial is to study the use of TMS to decrease auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.
Detailed Description
We hypothesize that: True treatment with rTMS will have significant decrease in auditory hallucinations versus sham treatment over the temporoparietal cortex. FMRI will highlight areas of activation with auditory hallucinations distinct from the area identified by Hoffman's scalp based method. Cortical inhibition as measured by paired pulse TMS will be increased after true TMS but not sham TMS.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Schizophrenia
- •Auditory hallucinations occuring more than 5 times per day
- •Adequate (6 weeks) trial of antipsychotic medication
- •Including at least 1 atypical antipsychotic medication
- •Medication stable for 4 weeks prior to commencement of the study
- •Competent to consent
Exclusion Criteria
- •history of seizure disorder in patient or first degree relative
- •recent head injury
- •Acute suicidality
- •Alcohol or substance abuse
- •Implanted pacemaker or metal in head or neck
- •Pregnancy
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Hoffman Auditory Hallucination Scale
Time Frame: weekly
A series of 7 questions to identify the intensity and severity of the hallucinations
Secondary Outcomes
- Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS)(2 weeks)