Zapping the brain with personalized alpha waves to fight schizophrenia symptoms
NCT ID NCT01941251
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a more targeted form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can help people with schizophrenia whose symptoms don't improve with medication. The treatment uses each patient's own brain wave frequency (alpha rhythm) and MRI scans to precisely stimulate the left prefrontal cortex. Fifty patients will receive either real or sham stimulation over three weeks, and their symptoms and thinking abilities will be measured before, shortly after, and three months later.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new, non-invasive way to reduce both positive and negative symptoms in people with schizophrenia who haven't responded to standard treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 50 participants, and previous TMS studies have shown mixed results. The effect may be modest or not last long-term.
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
-
50 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2013
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2027
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 64 years
- Sex
-
Male participants only
- 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 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: * Male righthanded inpatients, 18 to 64 years of age * The diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder according to DSM-IV * Capacity and willingness to give informed consent * Patient is treatment-resistant, CGI-S 4 or more * Patient is not requiring a change in antipsychotic medication 2 weeks prior to or during treatment * No foreseeable changes in patient's smoking habits during treatment Exclusion Criteria: * Serious somatic illness * Progressive neurological illness, recent brain damage (less than 3 months ago) or sequela of serious brain damage * Unstable epilepsy * Electro convulsive therapy (ECT) less than 3 months prior to treatment
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Schizoaffective disorder are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Niuvanniemi Hospital
Kuopio, Finland
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Scientists probe brain's reward system in mental illness
- New schizophrenia drug targets brain glutamate, not dopamine
- New drug candidate takes aim at schizophrenia symptoms
- New schizophrenia drug goes Head-to-Head with standard antipsychotics in Long-Term trial
- Five-Year safety check for experimental schizophrenia drug
- A shot every few weeks? new drug tested for schizophrenia