Brain zaps aim to revive emotion and drive in schizophrenia
NCT ID NCT07559084
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 11, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests a new type of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) that targets three brain areas at once to help with negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like lack of motivation, emotion, or social interest. Researchers will enroll 64 people with first-episode schizophrenia to see if this multi-target approach is safe and reduces these symptoms better than standard care. Participants will receive the TMS treatment while continuing their usual medication.
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) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, non-drug way to reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as social withdrawal and low motivation.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, small trial (64 people) testing a new targeting approach. It may not show clear benefit, and results may not apply to everyone with schizophrenia.
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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About 64 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2028
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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16 to 45 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: 1. Outpatients or inpatients at the Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Mental Health Center; 2. Meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria for first-episode schizophrenia (diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, SCID-5); disease duration less than 5 years at enrollment; 3. Male or female aged 16-45 years; 4. Education duration ≥ 9 years; 5. Stable medication regimen for at least 6 weeks prior to baseline visit and throughout the study period; psychiatric symptoms generally stable within 1 month prior to baseline visit; 6. Participants and their guardians can understand and sign written informed consent; 7. Total score on the PANSS Negative Symptom subscale (PANSS-N) \> 15, and at least one item score ≥ 3. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current or lifetime psychiatric disorders as determined by SCID-5 assessment; 2. Severe or unstable physical illnesses, including: neurological disorders (delirium, dementia, stroke, epilepsy, migraine, etc.), congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, malignant tumors, and immunocompromised conditions; 3. Alcohol abuse within 30 days prior to the study or alcohol/drug dependence within 6 months prior to the study; participation in any clinical trial within 30 days prior to baseline; 4. Pregnant or breastfeeding women; 5. Intellectual disability (IQ \< 70); 6. No history of modified electroconvulsive therapy (mECT) within the past 6 months.
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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
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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200030, China
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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