The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Human Brains: A Neuroimaging Study
Chronic Schizophrenia
About this trial
This is an interventional other trial for Chronic Schizophrenia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between 18 and 60 years of age
Subject is competent to provide informed consent
Additional inclusion criteria for schizophrenia group:
- Pt diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM V criteria.
Exclusion Criteria:
- MRI contraindications
- Person with any kind of neurostimulator or pacemaker, or built in electrical device even if it is MRI safe
- Skin lesions at the site of electrodes and any documented head or neck dermatological disorder
- Pregnancy
- Any major neurological (seizures, sclerosis multiplex, etc) disorder
- Individuals who are illiterate and/or visually impaired
Subjects with history of mental retardation, learning disorders or traumatic brain injury
Additional exclusion criteria for healthy group:
- Past or current history of any psychotic illness in the subject or in first degree family members
- Self report of illicit drug use (except marijuana) in the past. Use of marijuana during the last 3 month.
- Any use of any psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, SSRI, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, stimulants) in the last month.
Sites / Locations
- Zucker Hillside Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Sham Comparator
Active Comparator
Sham Comparator
Active Comparator
Sham tDCS - Healthy Controls
tDCS - Healthy Controls
Sham tDCS - Patients
tDCS - Patients
The sham group session will contain 20 minute sessions of transcranial direct current stimulatio , but only the first minute will be with 2mA, then unbeknownst to the subject, the unblinded research assistant will turn off the stimulation.
will receive real transcranial direct current stimulation. Real tDCS stimulation will involve ten 20 minute stimulations daily (at 2 mA anode over the left DLPFC while cathode over the right suborbital region) on 5 weekdays of two consecutive weeks
The sham group session will contain 20 minute sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation as well, but only the first minute will be with 2mA, then unbeknownst to the subject, the unblinded research assistant will turn off the stimulation.
will receive real transcranial direct current stimulation . Real tDCS stimulation will involve ten 20 minute stimulations daily (at 2 mA anode over the left DLPFC while cathode over the right suborbital region) on 5 weekdays of two consecutive weeks