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Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to Understand Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

NCT05343598 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 68

Last updated 2026-01-22

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study uses a noninvasive technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study how hallucinations work in schizophrenia.

TMS is a noninvasive way of stimulating the brain, using a magnetic field to change activity in the brain. The magnetic field is produced by a coil that is held next to the scalp. In this study the investigators will be stimulating the brain to learn more about how TMS might improve these symptoms of schizophrenia.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

rTMS is a technique of TMS that allows for selective external manipulation of neural activity in a non-invasive manner. During rTMS a rapidly changing current is passed through an insulated coil placed against the scalp. This generates a temporary magnetic field, which in turn induces electrical current in neurons and allows for modulation of neural circuitry. The rTMS pulses will be delivered in a pattern consisting of 2 s trains of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz every 10s for 600 total pulses.

DEVICE

Sham Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

rTMS is a technique of TMS that allows for selective external manipulation of neural activity in a non-invasive manner. During rTMS a rapidly changing current is passed through an insulated coil placed against the scalp. This generates a temporary magnetic field, which in turn induces electrical current in neurons and allows for modulation of neural circuitry. The rTMS pulses will be delivered in a pattern consisting of 2 s trains of 3 pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz every 10s for 600 total pulses. Sham is achieved by using a coil with a magnetic shield preventing magnetic field from reaching the head.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Mark Halko, PhD · Mclean Hospital

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
55 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2021-10-13
Primary Completion
2026-10-31
Completion
2026-10-31
FDA Device
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Diseases
Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05343598 on ClinicalTrials.gov