Could zapping the brain boost thinking in schizophrenia?
NCT ID NCT07155096
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Sep 16, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a type of brain stimulation called cTBS can improve thinking and memory in people with schizophrenia. Forty participants will receive targeted stimulation to a brain network linked to daydreaming and self-focus. The goal is to see if this changes brain activity and boosts cognitive performance.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new, non-drug treatment for cognitive problems in schizophrenia and possibly other conditions like autism.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 40 people. It is testing a theory, not a proven treatment, and may not lead to lasting benefits.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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37 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2024
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- 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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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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 either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-5 criteria and confirmed by SCID (First et al. 2015) * 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 psychiatric treatment and psychiatrically stable with no recent (within the past 30 days) psychiatric hospitalizations or changes in their psychiatric medication regimens. Exclusion Criteria: * • DSM-5 intellectual disability * Substance use disorder (other than nicotine) within the past three months * Current, active suicidal ideation with intent or plan, as assessed by a score of 5 or higher on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale question #4 Suicidality. * Positive urine drug screen for illicit substance use that can increase seizure risk (cocaine, benzodiazepines, amphetamine, methamphetamine) * Any history of a progressive or genetic neurologic disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease) or acquired neurological disease (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, tumor), including intracranial lesions * History of head trauma resulting in any loss of consciousness (\>15 minutes) or neurological sequelae * Current history of poorly controlled headaches including chronic medication for migraine prevention * History of fainting spells of unknown or undetermined etiology that might constitute seizures * History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, or immediate (1st degree relative) family history epilepsy with the exception of a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizures) in the judgment of a board-certified neurologist * Chronic (particularly) uncontrolled medical conditions that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.) * Any metal in the brain or skull (excluding dental fillings) or elsewhere in the body unless cleared by the responsible covering MD (e.g. MRI compatible joint replacement) * Any devices such as pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator, TENS unit, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt unless cleared by the responsible covering MD * All female participants of child-bearing age will be required to have a pregnancy test; any participant who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant will not be enrolled in the study * Medications will be reviewed by the responsible covering physician 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 use of CNS active drugs. The published TMS guidelines review of medications to be considered with rTMS will be taken into consideration given their described effects on cortical excitability measures. * Any changes in medications or hospitalizations within the past 30 days. * Participants who, in the investigator's opinion, might not be suitable for the study or would be unable to tolerate the study visit
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
Nashville, Tennessee, 37212, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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