Brain zaps aim to lift the fog of schizophrenia
NCT ID NCT07290738
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests if a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can improve negative symptoms (like lack of motivation or emotion) in people with schizophrenia. About 20 adults will receive either real or sham stimulation to different brain areas. The main goal is to see changes in brain water exchange using MRI scans.
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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 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2030
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 60 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: * Ability to give written informed consent * Diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and Evaluation to Sign Consent (ESC) above 10. * Is currently under the care of a licensed primary care provider or mental healthcare provider (e.g., psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker). * Have negative symptoms as determined by BNSS score of 20 or more. * Agrees to provide written permission, as requested, to allow any and all forms of communication between the investigators and study staff and any health care provider who currently provides and/or has provided service to the subject within two years of study enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * Persons with a first-degree relative with inherited epilepsy, seizure disorder, or seizures or persons who answer "yes" to any of the parts (A. - G.) of Question 3 of an epilepsy screening questionnaire. * Taking \> 400 mg clozapine/day and not on anti-seizure medication(s) with sufficient dose. * Failed TMS screening questionnaire. * Significant alcohol or other drug use (substance dependence within the recent months) or positive urine toxicology screen for substance not prescribed other than nicotine or marijuana dependence. * Any major medical illnesses that may affect normal brain functioning. Examples of these conditions include, but not limited to, stroke, Central nervous System (CNS)infection or tumor, other significant brain neurological conditions. * Cardiac pacemakers, implanted medication pumps, intracardiac lines, or acute, unstable cardiac disease, with intracranial implants (e.g. aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed. * History of head injury with loss of consciousness over 10 minutes; history of brain surgery * 0 Cannot refrain from using alcohol and/or marijuana 24 hours or more prior to experiments. * Woman who is pregnant (child-bearing potential but not on contraceptive and missing menstrual period; or by self-report; or by positive pregnancy test) or has had unprotected sexual intercourse without birth control in the last 4 weeks. * Moderate-High Risk of suicide according to the Columbia - Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Screen Version - Recent (i.e. answers YES to Question 2 and NO to Question 6 (Moderate risk); or answers YES to Questions 3 (Moderate risk), 4, 5, or 6 (High risk) or in the clinical judgement of the investigator or the study psychiatrist. * History (or family history) of deep vein thrombosis.
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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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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Spotting psychosis early could change lives — a major study tests whether faster treatment leads to better recovery
- Can a smartphone help silence distressing voices? online self-help program tested for psychosis
- Virtual reality therapy could help psychosis patients tame overwhelming emotions
- Brain zaps show promise for silencing hallucinations
- New program aims to boost alcohol treatment in mental health clinics
- Could a diabetes drug help schizophrenia patients lose weight?