NCT00517075

Brief Summary

This study will test whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is helpful in treating negative symptoms and social deficits of schizophrenia. This will be the first rTMS study to assess social function and social cognition.

  1. 1.Hypoactivity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has been implicated in generating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Abnormalities in the left inferior parietal lobe (IPL) have also been associated with negative symptoms. We hypothesize that high frequency rTMS applied to the hypoactive left DLPFC or to the left IPL in individuals with schizophrenia will reduce negative symptom severity more than sham (placebo) rTMS as assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative symptoms subscale.
  2. 2.We hypothesize that high frequency rTMS applied to the left DLPFC or to the left IPL in schizophrenia patients will improve social dysfunction more than sham (placebo) rTMS as assessed by the Social Adjustment Scale, the Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale and the Social Functioning Scale.

Trial Health

57
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
14

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_2 schizophrenia

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2004

Longer than P75 for phase_2 schizophrenia

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
terminated

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2004

Completed
3 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 14, 2007

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 16, 2007

Completed
3.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2011

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2011

Completed
5.6 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

January 13, 2017

Completed
Last Updated

January 13, 2017

Status Verified

January 1, 2017

Enrollment Period

6.8 years

First QC Date

August 14, 2007

Results QC Date

January 12, 2017

Last Update Submit

January 12, 2017

Conditions

Keywords

Transcranial Magnetic StimulationRepetitive Transcranial Magnetic StimulationSchizophreniaSchizoaffective DisorderTreatmentNegative SymptomsSocial DysfunctionTMSrTMS

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Clinical Improvement of Negative Symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] Negative Symptoms Subscale) Relative to Pre-treatment Baseline.

    At baseline, every 2 weeks during rTMS sessions, and at monthly follow-up visits.

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • Global Clinical Improvement

    At baseline, every 2 weeks during rTMS sessions, and at monthly follow-up visits.

  • Social Functioning

    At baseline, every 2 weeks during rTMS sessions, and at monthly follow-up visits.

  • Depression

    At baseline, every 2 weeks during rTMS sessions, and at monthly follow-up visits.

  • Theory of Mind

    At baseline and the end of each study phase (random and open)

  • Smoking Behaviors

    At baseline, every 2 weeks during rTMS sessions, and at monthly follow-up visits.

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (4)

A

EXPERIMENTAL

high frequency rTMS to the left infero-parietal lobe, active/sham condition randomized (2:1), double-blind

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

B

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Active high frequency rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

C

SHAM COMPARATOR

Sham (placebo) high frequency rTMS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or left infero-parietal lobe, active/sham condition randomized (2:1), double-blind

Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Open cross over high frequency rTMS

EXPERIMENTAL

Following the randomization phase with three arms, subjects who did not respond, have the possibility of receiving open active treatment to the target that they did not receive treatment to in the randomization phase. (i.e. randomized to IPL --\> open phase DLPFC and vice versa)

Device: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Interventions

For rTMS, the coil is held flat on the scalp. 40 trains of 10 Hz rTMS will be delivered in trains lasting 4 seconds, with an intertrain interval of 26 seconds, for a total of 20 minutes (1600 pulses per day) at 100% motor threshold. Subjects will receive rTMS once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. During the first week of rTMS sessions only, in the event that the patient cannot tolerate these stimulation parameters, intensity relative to motor threshold may be titrated downward, in a masked fashion, to 80%, with all other dose parameters remaining the same.

Also known as: Magstim Rapid 2
A

For rTMS, the coil is held flat on the scalp. 40 trains of 10 Hz rTMS will be delivered in trains lasting 4 seconds, with an intertrain interval of 26 seconds, for a total of 20 minutes (1600 pulses per day) at 100% motor threshold. Subjects will receive rTMS once a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. During the first week of rTMS sessions only, in the event that the patient cannot tolerate these stimulation parameters, intensity relative to motor threshold may be titrated downward, in a masked fashion, to 80%, with all other dose parameters remaining the same.

Also known as: MagStim Rapid2
Open cross over high frequency rTMS

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 55 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Male or female inpatients or outpatients, 18 to 55 years of age.
  • Primary diagnosis by DSM-IV criteria for Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder.
  • Capacity and willingness to give informed consent.
  • Engaged in ongoing treatment with a psychiatrist.
  • PANSS negative symptoms subscale score of ≥ 15.
  • English speaking.
  • Patients must have stable symptoms as defined by not requiring a change in antipsychotic medication for at least 4 weeks or at least 2 weeks for other psychotropic agents (e.g. antidepressants) prior to entering the study. Patients will not be included in the study if the research team thinks that modifications could be made to maximize their medication regimen at initial evaluation.
  • Able to adhere to the treatment schedule.
  • Able to commute to NYC for daily treatments (Monday - Friday) for at least 4 weeks.

You may not qualify if:

  • Individuals diagnosed by the investigator with the following conditions (current unless otherwise stated): Current affective disorder including Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Affective Disorder; substance abuse or dependence within the past year (except nicotine and caffeine).
  • An Axis II Personality Disorder, which in the judgment of the investigator may hinder the patient in completing the procedures required by the study protocol.
  • Individuals with a clinically defined neurological disorder or insult including, but not limited to: Any condition likely to be associated with increased intracranial pressure; Space occupying brain lesion; Any history of seizure EXCEPT those therapeutically induced by ECT; History of cerebrovascular accident; Transient ischemic attack within two years; Cerebral aneurysm; Dementia; Parkinson's disease; Huntington's chorea; or Multiple sclerosis.
  • Increased risk of seizure for any reason, including prior diagnosis of increased intracranial pressure (such as after large infarctions or trauma), history of epilepsy or seizure in first-degree relatives, having metal inside the head, or history of significant head trauma with loss of consciousness for 5 minutes.
  • Prior adverse reaction to TMS.
  • History of treatment with rTMS therapy for any disorder.
  • Cardiac pacemakers, implanted medication pumps, intracardiac lines, or acute, unstable cardiac disease.
  • 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.
  • Current illicit drug use.
  • Known or suspected pregnancy.
  • Women who are breast-feeding.
  • Women of child-bearing potential not using a medically accepted form of contraception when engaging in sexual intercourse.
  • Wearing medicinal skin patches during the MRI scan.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

New York State Psychiatric Institute

New York, New York, 10032, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

  • Hajak G, Marienhagen J, Langguth B, Werner S, Binder H, Eichhammer P. High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in schizophrenia: a combined treatment and neuroimaging study. Psychol Med. 2004 Oct;34(7):1157-63. doi: 10.1017/s0033291704002338.

    PMID: 15697042BACKGROUND
  • Sachdev P, Loo C, Mitchell P, Malhi G. Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the deficit syndrome of schizophrenia: a pilot investigation. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2005 Jun;59(3):354-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2005.01382.x.

    PMID: 15896231BACKGROUND
  • Jin Y, Potkin SG, Kemp AS, Huerta ST, Alva G, Thai TM, Carreon D, Bunney WE Jr. Therapeutic effects of individualized alpha frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (alphaTMS) on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull. 2006 Jul;32(3):556-61. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbj020. Epub 2005 Oct 27.

    PMID: 16254067BACKGROUND

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

SchizophreniaPsychotic Disorders

Interventions

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Magnetic Field TherapyTherapeutics

Results Point of Contact

Title
Linda Sherman
Organization
New York State Psychiatric Institute

Study Officials

  • Arielle D. Stanford, MD

    New York State Psychiatric Institute / Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
Yes

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 14, 2007

First Posted

August 16, 2007

Study Start

September 1, 2004

Primary Completion

June 1, 2011

Study Completion

June 1, 2011

Last Updated

January 13, 2017

Results First Posted

January 13, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-01

Locations