Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Schizophrenia

(MAST Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Daniel Blumberger, MD., MSc.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Must be taking: Antipsychotics

Must not be taking: Benzodiazepines, Anticonvulsants

Disqualifiers: Substance use disorder, Unstable illness, Pregnancy, Dementia, Neurological disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 5-7 weeks

80 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to assess the clinical effects and tolerability of Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) as an alternative to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia (RS).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you keep your current antipsychotic treatment constant during the acute phase of the intervention. However, if you are taking a benzodiazepine at a dose higher than lorazepam 2 mg/day or any anticonvulsant, you may need to stop or adjust those medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) for schizophrenia?

Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) has shown potential as a treatment for schizophrenia, with some patients experiencing symptom improvements. In a small study, five out of eight patients showed a reduction in symptoms, and three achieved a significant clinical response. MST is also being explored for its benefits in treating major depressive disorder, suggesting it may have broader mental health applications. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) safe for humans?

Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) has been studied for schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, showing some side effects like dizziness and memory loss, but no serious adverse effects were consistently reported. It is considered to have fewer cognitive side effects compared to electroconvulsive therapy. ^{3 4 5 6 7}

How is Magnetic Seizure Therapy different from other treatments for schizophrenia?

Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) is a new treatment that uses magnetic fields to induce seizures, similar to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but with more precise targeting and potentially fewer cognitive side effects. Unlike traditional antipsychotic medications, MST is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, offering an alternative for patients who do not respond to standard drug treatments. ^{2 4 5 8 9}

Research Team

Daniel Blumberger, MD

Principal Investigator

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia, meaning their condition hasn't improved after trying other treatments. Participants should be able to undergo procedures like Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder for over 2 years.

My mental health assessment shows moderate to severe symptoms in areas like hallucinations or suspicion.

I am mentally capable of understanding and consenting to participate in research.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with a history of MINI diagnosis of a substance use disorder (other than nicotine and caffeine) within the past three months

Patients with an intracranial implant (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed

I don't take more than 2 mg/day of lorazepam or its equivalent.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) two to three days per week. Treatment continues until response criteria are met or up to 15 sessions.

5-7 weeks

2-3 visits per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST)

Trial Overview The study compares the effectiveness and tolerability of two treatments: Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), in patients who have not responded well to standard schizophrenia therapies.

Participant Groups

Group I: Magnetic Seizure Therapy (MST) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

MST treatments will be administered using the MagPro MST with Cool TwinCoil.

Group II: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Active Control 1 Intervention

ECT treatments will be administered using the MECTA spECTrum 5000Q or MECTA Sigma.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

388

Recruited

84,200+

University of British Columbia

Collaborator

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Findings from Research

Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) can induce acute manic symptoms in patients with major depressive episodes, as demonstrated in two cases during an ongoing study of treatment-resistant depression.

Both patients experienced mania after several MST treatments, but their symptoms resolved quickly with medication after stopping the therapy, highlighting the need to monitor for mood changes as a potential side effect of MST.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetic seizure therapy-induced mania: a report of 2 cases. Noda, Y., Daskalakis, ZJ., Fitzgerald, PB., et al.[2015]

Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is as effective as bifrontal electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating depression, with response rates of 72.2% for MST compared to 81.5% for ECT, indicating it can be a viable alternative.

MST demonstrated significantly fewer cognitive side effects, showing improvements in immediate and delayed memory and attention, along with shorter recovery times for consciousness and orientation compared to ECT.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Shorter recovery times and better cognitive function-A comparative pilot study of magnetic seizure therapy and electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depressive episodes. Zhang, J., Ren, Y., Jiang, W., et al.[2023]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quick recovery of orientation after magnetic seizure therapy for major depressive disorder. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Update on magnetic seizure therapy: a novel form of convulsive therapy. [2019]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetic seizure therapy is associated with functional and structural brain changes in MDD: Therapeutic versus side effect correlates. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetic seizure therapy for people with schizophrenia. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

25 Hz Magnetic Seizure Therapy Is Feasible but Not Optimal for Chinese Patients With Schizophrenia: A Case Series. [2020]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adjunctive Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review. [2022]

7. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Accelerated magnetic seizure therapy (aMST) for treatment of major depressive disorder: A pilot study. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Magnetic seizure therapy-induced mania: a report of 2 cases. [2015]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Shorter recovery times and better cognitive function-A comparative pilot study of magnetic seizure therapy and electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depressive episodes. [2023]