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

Part of paid clinical trials in Orangeburg, New York.

Sponsor
Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
Study ID
NCT07469384
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

  • SCHIZOPHRENIA 1 (Disorder)
  • Schizo Affective Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 55 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • transcranial direct current stimulation — DEVICE
    tDCS will be applied over cortical region MT+
  • Sham stimulation — DEVICE
    Ramp up/ramp down to simulate scalp sensation associated with tDCS. No sustained current flow

Study Details

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 Dates

Start date
Feb 1, 2026
Status verified
Mar 2026
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2030
Completion
Jul 31, 2030

Study Design

Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Active tDCS
    Personalized, high-definition tDCS applied to area MT+
  • Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS
    Sham tDCS applied over area MT+, using ramp up/ramp down to simulate active treatment

Primary Outcome Measure

MT+ activation as determined using fMRI [ Time Frame: Simultaneously with the administration of the active or sham tDCS intervention during study day 10 ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Nathan Kline InstituteOrangeburgNew York10962
Odeta Beggel, MA
[email protected]
845-398-2897
Daniel C Javitt, MD, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
Antigona Martinez, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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