Brain zapping trial for Schizophrenia's 'Negative Symptoms' ends early
NCT ID NCT03648268
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS could help reduce negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like low motivation and reduced facial expression. The trial enrolled 47 adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and compared active TMS to a sham (fake) treatment. However, the study was terminated early, so the results are limited and not conclusive.
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 non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as lack of motivation and emotional expression.
- What could go wrong
- The study was terminated early with only 47 participants, so results are limited. It is a small, early-stage trial, and the benefits seen may not hold up in larger studies.
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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47 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2019
- Finished
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Dec 2023
- 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 55 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: * Age between 18-55 years * At pre-visit screening (see attached phone screening questionnaire): participants must report that they have been given a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder by a mental health professional * Must be able to read, speak, and understand English * Must be judged by study staff to be capable of completing the study procedures * Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-V criteria and confirmed by SCID * Participants will be in stable outpatient treatment with no recent (within the past 30 days) hospitalizations or changes in their mediation regimens Exclusion Criteria: * DSM-V intellectual disability * substance use disorder within the past three months * Ambidexterity (the EEfRT task assumes participants are not ambidextrous) * Any history of progressive or genetic neurological disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, tubular 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 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. * Subjects 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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Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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