TMS Enhancement of Visual Plasticity in Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Schizophrenia
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- age: 18-65,
- no neurological illness, head trauma, or major medical illness,
- not pregnant or nursing,
- no contraindication for TMS or MRI scanning,
- no current substance abuse/dependence.
Healthy controls will have no DSM-5 diagnosis and no first-degree relatives with a psychotic disorder.
Inclusion criteria for patients includes:
- DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophreniform, schizophrenia or schizoaffective and competent to sign an informed consent,
- not currently taking other medications that affects brain structure (e.g. steroids),
- less than 12 months antipsychotic exposure and on the same psychotropic medications for 4 weeks prior to study,
- not be taking clozapine (due to its effects on NMDA receptors and increase of seizure threshold),
- clinically stable (i.e. no change in psychotic symptoms for at least 4 weeks).
Exclusion Criteria:
- age outside of 18-65,
- neurological illness, head trauma, or major medical illness,
- pregnant or nursing,
- contraindication for TMS or MRI scanning,
- current substance abuse/dependence,
- currently taking medications that affects brain structure (e.g. steroids).
Healthy controls with a DSM-5 diagnosis and/or a first-degree relative with a psychotic disorder. Participants with schizophrenia that are not competent to sign an informed consent, have more than 12 months antipsychotic exposure, not on the same psychotropic medications for 4 weeks prior to study, taking clozapine, and not clinically stable (i.e.a change in psychotic symptoms for at least 4 weeks).
Sites / Locations
- University of Maryland
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Sham Comparator
TMS
Sham TMS
rTMS
A sham coil will be used. This condition controls for the auditory artifacts induced by rTMS.