Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Using Tdcs of the Third (of Many) Visual Pathways

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: SCHIZOPHRENIA 1 (Disorder), Schizo Affective Disorder

In brief

This study investigates the ability of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the motion processing area of the brain (area MT) to improve face emotion recognition (FER) ability. tDCS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation in which low level currents are applied over the scalp to influence underlying brain function. In schizophrenia, impaired ability to detect facial motion has been shown to contribute to impaired FER, which, in turn, leads to difficulties in social cognition and poor social outcome. The study will use both fMRI and EEG to measure brain function while participants view moving dot and dynamic face stimuli. Analyses will compare changes in fMRI and EEG activity in individuals receiving active vs. sham stimulation.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07469384

Run by

Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research

People needed

120

Starts

2026-02-01

Expected to finish

2030-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-13

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Male or female subject, age 18-55
• Competent and willing to sign informed consent
• No more than moderately ill
• SCID DSM-5 diagnosis of Sz/SzAff
• WAIS IQ >70
• Does not meet current criteria for DSM-5 defined substance abuse or dependence or have a history of diagnosis within past 6 months
• On medication within clinically approved range
• Does not meet criteria for another DSM-5 disorder other than those judged to be minor (e.g. simple phobia)

You may not qualify if…

• Significant neurological illness or history of significant head trauma
• Unstable physical illness or significant auditory/visual deficits that might interfer
• Contraindication to MRI (e.g. metal implants, claustrophobia, pregnancy)
• Contraindications to tDCS including metal implant, pacemaker, history of seizure, traumatic brain injury or stroke
• Significant risk for suicide
• Has a history of an illness, disease, condition injury, or disability which, in the opinion of the principal investigator, may interfere with the completion of all study requirements per protocol, impact the quality of the data, or the validity of the study results, including unstable physical illness, significant neurological illness, significant head trauma
• Moderate or greater DSM-5 current substance use disorder, defined based on the presence of 4 or more of 11 substance use criteria within the past 12 months. In addition, individuals for whom substance use leads to not being able to perform work, home or school activities

Where it is running

• Nathan Kline Institute — Orangeburg, New York, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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