This is an open-label extension study to continue to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who previously completed the treatment study of the protocol #8116 (NCT05319080). Protocol #8116 investigates the clinical efficacy of open-label individualized MRI-guided TMS applied to the left temporoparietal junction (TPJ) in schizophrenia patients. Participating patients who have completed the 4-week project #8116 can be screened for eligibility for this extension study in which they will continue treatment/assessment. They will be divided into three groups (non-responders, partial responders, or full responders) based on a reduction in the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) scores from the study #8116.
The optimal neuroanatomical treatment targets remain unclear, though current neuroscience evidence suggests several brain areas such as the left temporo-parietal junction area (TPJ) or the right posterior superior temporal sulcus (rSTS) may be involved in the generation and development of AVH. During this extension study, non-responders to protocol #8116 will be administered 10 days (10 sessions) of MRI-guided 1 Hz rTMS delivered to the rSTS instead of the original target in TPJ. Partial responders will receive 10 additional low-frequency rTMS over the original left TPJ target. Like the protocol #8116, the investigators will use the MRI-guided targeting approach during rTMS treatment sessions to achieve greater precision as it can account for individual differences in anatomy. Complete responders will instead be followed for sustainability of response. Their clinical ratings will be repeated at one week, two week, four week and eight week follow-ups. Non-responders are defined as patients showing a reduction of AHRS less than 20% of the initial score. A partial response is defined as a reduction in a range of between 20% and 50% of the initial AHRS score. A complete response is defined as a reduction by at least 50% of the initial AHRS score.The combined outcome of protocol #8116 and the currently proposed protocol will help guide TMS targeting and the number of treatment sessions for a future larger randomized, double-blinded, shame-controlled clinical trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
3
During the rTMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed on the scalp of the subject's head. The electromagnet painlessly delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the region of the brain involved in speech perception.
New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York, United States
Total Number of rTMS Sessions Completed
The total number of rTMS sessions completed for non responders and partial responders. A session is defined as 20 minutes of rTMS.
Time frame: 2 weeks.
Total Number of Follow-up Clinical Assessments Completed
The total number of follow-up clinical assessments completed for complete responders. A clinical assessment refers to answering questions about psychiatric symptoms to assess the sustainability of the patient's improvement from the previous study.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Total Number of Treatment Emergent Adverse Events
The total number of treatment emergent adverse events for non responders and partial responders. An emergent adverse event is defined as any rTMS risk induced incident in research such as headache and seizure.
Time frame: 2 weeks.
Change in Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS)
The AHRS is an investigator-administered scale assessing multiple characteristics of auditory verbal hallucinations. The total score ranges from 2 to 41, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Time frame: Up to 4/8 weeks.
Change in Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS)
The PSYRATS consists of 17 items on delusions and auditory hallucinations, with each item being rated from 0 (absent) to 4 (severe). The total score ranges from 0 to 68, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Time frame: Up to 4/8 weeks.
Change in Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS)
The SAPS includes 34 items that focus on the positive symptoms on schizophrenia. Each item is rated from o to 5 (range=0-170). Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: Up to 4/8 weeks.
Change in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
The PANSS rates the presence and severity of positive and negative symptoms, as well as general psychopathology associated with schizophrenia. Each item is rated from 1 to 7 (range=30-210). Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: Up to 4/8 weeks.
Change in Cardiff Anomalous Perceptions Scale (CAPS)
The CAPS is a 32 item scale for measuring perceptual anomalies, that includes subscales for measuring distress, intrusiveness and frequency. A higher score indicates a higher number of perceptual anomalies, scores range from 0 (low) to 32 (high).
Time frame: Up to 4/8 weeks.
Change in Clinical Global Impression Improvement (CGI-I) Scale
The CGI-I is a clinician-rated scale to quantify overall clinician impression of improvements in level of illness. The CGI-I is rated on a 7-point scale, to assess illness improvement. CGI-I scores range from 1 (very much improved) through to 7 (very much worse).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Change in Clinical Global Impression Severity (CGI-S) Scale
The CGI-S is a clinician-rated scale to quantify overall clinician impression of illness severity. The CGI-S is rated on a 7-point scale, to assess illness severity. CGI-S scores range from 1 (normal, not ill) through to 7 (among the most severely ill patients).
Time frame: 2 weeks
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