Zapping the brain to read faces: new hope for schizophrenia?

NCT ID NCT07469384

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a gentle electrical current applied to the scalp (tDCS) can improve how people with schizophrenia recognize emotions in faces. Researchers will use brain scans to see if the stimulation changes activity in motion-processing areas. The goal is to understand the brain circuits involved, not yet to offer a proven treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment to help people with schizophrenia better read facial emotions, improving social interactions.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study with only 120 participants, focused on understanding brain activity rather than proving a treatment works. The stimulation is mild and temporary, and results may not lead to a practical therapy.

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

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

About 120 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Feb 2026

Expected to finish

Jul 2030

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

18 to 55 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

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

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female subject, age 18-55 2. Competent and willing to sign informed consent 3. No more than moderately ill 4. SCID DSM-5 diagnosis of Sz/SzAff 5. WAIS IQ \>70 6. Does not meet current criteria for DSM-5 defined substance abuse or dependence or have a history of diagnosis within past 6 months 7. On medication within clinically approved range 8. Does not meet criteria for another DSM-5 disorder other than those judged to be minor (e.g. simple phobia) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Significant neurological illness or history of significant head trauma 2. Unstable physical illness or significant auditory/visual deficits that might interfer 3. Contraindication to MRI (e.g. metal implants, claustrophobia, pregnancy) 4. Contraindications to tDCS including metal implant, pacemaker, history of seizure, traumatic brain injury or stroke 5. Significant risk for suicide 6. Has a history of an illness, disease, condition injury, or disability which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may interfere with the completion of all study requirements per protocol, impact the quality of the data, or the validity of the study results, including unstable physical illness, significant neurological illness, significant head trauma 7. Moderate or greater DSM-5 current substance use disorder, defined based on the presence of 4 or more of 11 substance use criteria within the past 12 months. In addition, individuals for whom substance use leads to not being able to perform work, home or school activities

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Psychotic Disorders schizoaffective disorder schizophrenia schizophrenia 1

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Schizo affective disorder Schizophrenia 1 (disorder)

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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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.

Zapping the brain to read faces: new hope for schizophrenia?

What the study statuses mean