Can a quick brain zap ease schizophrenia symptoms?
NCT ID NCT05567848
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether an accelerated schedule of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is safe and effective for treating symptoms of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. About 20 adults aged 18-65 with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or at high risk for psychosis will receive TMS and be monitored for side effects. Brain scans before and after treatment will help researchers understand how TMS affects brain connections.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18-65 years * Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder (i.e. schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder) or have been identified as being at clinical high risk for developing a psychotic disorder. * Must be able to read, speak and understand English * Must be judged by study staff to be capable of completing the study procedures * Participants will be in stable outpatient treatment with no recent (within the past 30 days) hospitalizations or changes in their medication regimens. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 diagnosis of moderate substance use disorder within the past month * Medications will be reviewed by the PI and a decision about inclusion will be made based on the participant's past medical history, drug dose, history of recent medication changes or duration of treatment, and combination with other central nervous system active drugs. Current published TMS guidelines do not preclude specific medications in the setting of TMS(Rossi et al., 2021) * Conditions that might result in increased risks of side effects or complications from rTMS or MRI, including: * Intracranial pathology from a known genetic disorder (e.g., Neurofibromatosis 1, tuberous sclerosis) or from acquired neurologic disease (e.g. stroke, tumor), cerebral palsy, history of severe head injury, or significant dysmorphology; * History of fainting spells of unknown or undetermined etiology that might constitute seizures * History of multiple seizures or diagnosis of epilepsy * Any progressive (e.g., neurodegenerative) neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease * Chronic (particularly) uncontrolled medical conditions that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.) * Metal implants (excluding dental fillings) unless cleared by the responsible covering MD (i.e. MRI compatible joint replacement) * Pacemaker * Implanted medication pump * Vagal nerve stimulator * Deep brain stimulator or transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation unit * Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt * Signs of increased intracranial pressure * Intracranial lesion * History of head injury resulting in prolonged loss of consciousness (\>15minutes) or neurological sequelae * Pregnancy: All participants capable of becoming pregnant will be required to have a pregnancy test; any participant who is pregnant will not be enrolled in the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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