Cognitive Effects of tDCS and tRNS in Schizophrenia

The National Brain Mapping Laboratory (NBML)36 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to investigate the cognitive effects of different electrical stimulation modalities, such as transcranial direct and random-noise stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, in schizophrenia.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Schizophrenia Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) active stimulatorDEVICE

In tDCS the electrical current is applied directly between electrodes mounted on the head which can can de-or hyperpolarizes resting membrane potential and thereby modulate cortical excitability

transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)DEVICE

Here, an alternating electrical current is applied at a mix of frequencies it is called transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), which can be delivered in low (between 0.1-100 Hz) or high (between 101-640 Hz) frequency stimulation

transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) sham stimulatorDEVICE

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of schizophrenia based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)5 * Being 18-50 years old (male and female) * If female, negative urine pregnancy test * feasibility for tDCS/tRNS interventions according to safety guidelines * stable medication regime, especially for classical neuroleptics and all central nervous system activating medications, if taken, 4-6 weeks before the experiment * fluency in the native language * right-handed * Required written informed consent signed by patients' guardian Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy * alcohol or substance dependence * comorbid bipolar disorder and mood disorder * history of seizure * history of neurological disorder * history of head injury * Presence of ferromagnetic objects in the body that are contraindicated for brain stimulation of the head (pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices, brain stimulators, some types of dental implants, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses, permanent eyeliner, implanted delivery pump, or shrapnel fragments)

Locations (2)

Payame Noor University, Tehran Branch

Tehran, Iran

Zanjan University

Zanjān, Iran

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Spatial Working Memory behavioral performance

The test begins with a number of coloured squares (boxes) shown on the screen. The aim of this test is that by selecting the boxes and using a process of elimination, the participant should find one yellow 'token' in each of a number of boxes and use them to fill up an empty column on the right-hand side of the screen.

Time frame: During procedure (4 minutes)

executive function behavioral performance

The participant is shown two displays containing three coloured balls. The test administrator first demonstrates to the participant how to move the balls in the lower display to copy the pattern in the upper display and completes one demonstration problem, where the solution requires one move. The participant must then complete three further problems, one each requiring two moves, three moves, and four moves. Next, the participant is shown further problems and must work out in their head how many moves the solutions require and then select the appropriate box at the bottom of the screen to indicate their response

Time frame: During procedure (8-10 minutes)

The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)

The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) is a self-report questionnaire that consists of two 10-item scales to measure both positive and negative affect. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale of 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much).

Time frame: through study completion, an average of 3 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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