TMS for Schizophrenia
(MESSI Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This randomized controlled trial in healthy controls (HC) and patients with schizophrenia (SZ) aims to examine 1) the underlying cognitive and neural cause of self-agency deficits in SZ; 2) the responsiveness to a novel navigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (nrTMS) target in the medial/superior prefrontal cortex (mPFC); and 3) how modulation of mPFC activity impacts the larger self-agency network to mediate changes in self-agency judgments. Our overall hypothesis is that increased mPFC excitability by active high-frequency nrTMS in HC and SZ will induce behavioral improvements in self-agency and neural changes in the larger self-agency network that will generalize to improvements in overall cognition, symptoms and daily functioning, and will likely lead to the development of new effective neuromodulation therapies in patients with schizophrenia.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it requires schizophrenia participants to be on a stable dose of antipsychotic medication for at least 4 weeks. It seems you can continue your current medications if they meet this stability requirement.
Is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) safe for humans?
How is the treatment nrTMS different from other treatments for schizophrenia?
Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nrTMS) is unique because it uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain, which can help improve symptoms of schizophrenia, especially negative symptoms like lack of motivation or emotion. Unlike medications, it is a non-invasive procedure and does not involve taking drugs.45678
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nrTMS) for schizophrenia?
Who Is on the Research Team?
Karuna Subramaniam, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for English-speaking individuals with schizophrenia who are clinically stable on a low to moderate dose of antipsychotic medication, without neurological disorders or substance use issues. They must be in good physical health and able to undergo MRI scans. Pregnant individuals, those with implanted metal/electronic devices, scalp wounds/infections, ongoing seizures, or severe claustrophobia cannot participate.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Participants complete baseline assessments including cognitive, clinical, and daily functioning assessments, structural MRI, and MEGI scans
Treatment
Participants receive nrTMS targeting either the medial prefrontal cortex or a control posterior parietal site
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in neural activity, cognition, clinical symptoms, and daily functioning after TMS
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nrTMS)
Navigated Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nrTMS) is already approved in European Union, United States for the following indications:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Negative symptoms in schizophrenia
- Major Depressive Disorder
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator