Enhancing Prefrontal Oscillations and Working Memory in Early-course Schizophrenia

Description

This study will investigate the effects of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) on natural oscillatory frequency of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and working memory in early-course schizophrenia (EC-SCZ). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to evoke oscillatory activity, and EEG will record the responses of EC-SCZ participants. A working memory task will also be incorporated in order to determine how DLPFC natural frequency (NF) is related to working memory performance. iTBS (active or sham) will be administered, then the oscillatory activity of DLPFC and working memory performance will be reassessed. The overarching goal is to determine whether iTBS can acutely enhance the oscillatory activity of the DLPFC and to evaluate the relationship between changes in the DLPFC and working memory performance.

Conditions

Schizophrenia

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

This study will investigate the effects of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) on natural oscillatory frequency of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and working memory in early-course schizophrenia (EC-SCZ). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to evoke oscillatory activity, and EEG will record the responses of EC-SCZ participants. A working memory task will also be incorporated in order to determine how DLPFC natural frequency (NF) is related to working memory performance. iTBS (active or sham) will be administered, then the oscillatory activity of DLPFC and working memory performance will be reassessed. The overarching goal is to determine whether iTBS can acutely enhance the oscillatory activity of the DLPFC and to evaluate the relationship between changes in the DLPFC and working memory performance.

Enhancing Prefrontal Oscillatory Activity and Working Memory Performance With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Early-course Schizophrenia

Enhancing Prefrontal Oscillations and Working Memory in Early-course Schizophrenia

Condition
Schizophrenia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. ages 18-40 years
  • 2. DSM diagnoses of Schizophrenia Spectrum Axis I disorders
  • 3. a duration of less than three years from beginning of psychosis, defined by report of symptoms and/or history of treatment, based on clinical guidelines employed in our UPMC psychoses clinics in Pittsburgh.
  • 1. DSM intellectual developmental disorder
  • 2. significant head injury
  • 3. medical illness affecting brain structure or function
  • 4. significant neurologic disorder (e.g. seizure disorder)
  • 5. personal history or family history of epilepsy
  • 6. inability to provide informed consent
  • 7. concussion with loss of consciousness (LOC) greater than 10 minutes
  • 8. history of electroconvulsive therapy
  • 9. diabetes with associated seizures, loss of sensation/weakness in arms or legs, or momentary LOC
  • 10. pregnancy or postpartum (\<6 weeks after delivery or miscarriage), as determined by self-report
  • 11. a psychotic illness with a temporal relation to substance use or head injury.
  • 12. current or past co-morbidity for alcohol or psychoactive substance dependence
  • 13. substance abuse, other than cannabis and/or alcohol, within the past one year

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Fabio Ferrarelli,

Fabio Ferrarelli, MD, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsbrugh

Study Record Dates

2026-08