Enhancing Prefrontal Oscillations and Working Memory in Early-course Schizophrenia
ConditionSchizophrenia
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-40
SponsorFabio Ferrarelli
About this trial
This study will investigate the effects of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) on natural oscillatory frequency of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and working memory in early-course schizophrenia (EC-SCZ). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to evoke oscillatory activity, and EEG will record the responses of EC-SCZ participants. A working memory task will also be incorporated in order to determine how DLPFC natural frequency (NF) is related to working memory performance. iTBS (active or sham) will be administered, then the oscillatory activity of DLPFC and working memory performance will be reassessed. The overarching goal is to determine whether iTBS can acutely enhance the oscillatory activity of the DLPFC and to evaluate the relationship between changes in the DLPFC and working memory performance.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
ages 18-40 years
DSM diagnoses of Schizophrenia Spectrum Axis I disorders
a duration of less than three years from beginning of psychosis, defined by report of symptoms and/or history of treatment, based on clinical guidelines employed in our UPMC psychoses clinics in Pittsburgh.
Disqualifiers
DSM intellectual developmental disorder
significant head injury
medical illness affecting brain structure or function
significant neurologic disorder (e.g. seizure disorder)
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- active intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
- sham intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
Treatment groups
75 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsSponsors and collaborators
Fabio Ferrarelli
Lead sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Sponsor institution
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov