Transcranial Current Stimulation as a Treatment for Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Auditory Hallucinations

In brief

Investigating the effect of non-invasive transcranial current stimulation on auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia. Normal neuronal activity is perturbed in schizophrenia, so selective targeting of this abnormal activity could serve as a treatment for schizophrenia and alleviate symptoms caused by abnormal neuronal activity, such as auditory hallucinations.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01963676

Run by

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

People needed

26

Starts

2014-01-01

Expected to finish

2014-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2016-02-22

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia, any subtype, or schizoaffective disorder, with refractory auditory hallucinations. Duration of illness >1 year.
• 18-99 years old.
• Clinically stable for at least 12 weeks, i.e. not requiring hospitalization or a change in level of care .
• On current antipsychotic doses for approximately 4 weeks or more.
• Capacity to understand all relevant risks and potential benefits of the study (informed consent) OR has a legal guardian who can complete consent forms on the patients behalf
• Right handed

You may not qualify if…

• Subjects with a DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse (other than nicotine) within the last month or a DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependence (other than nicotine) within the last 6 months.
• History of significant head injury/trauma, as defined by loss of consciousness for more than 1 hour, or recurring seizures, or requiring later cognitive rehabilitation or causing cognitive sequelae.
• Prior brain surgery.
• Any brain devices/implants, including cochlear implants and aneurysm clips.
• Co-morbid neurological condition (i.e. seizure disorder, brain tumor).
• Medical or neurological illness (unstable cardiac disease AIDS, malignancy, liver or renal impairment) or treatment for a medical disorder that could interfere with study participation.
• Non English speakers.
• Pregnancy, nursing, or if female and fertile, unwilling to use appropriate birth control measures during study participation

Where it is running

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Outpatient STEP Clinic — Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
• University of North Carolina, Wake STEP Clinic — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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