Magnetic Stimulation as a Treatment for Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease. Auditory hallucinations are the most frequent symptoms with an incident of 50% to 70% in patients. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can significantly reduce symptoms of schizophrenia. TMS is capable of inducing changes in the electrical activities of the brain in humans. The purpose of this trial is to study the use of TMS to decrease auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.

Detailed Description
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We hypothesize that: True treatment with rTMS will have significant decrease in auditory hallucinations versus sham treatment over the temporoparietal cortex. FMRI will highlight areas of activation with auditory hallucinations distinct from the area identified by Hoffman's scalp based method. Cortical inhibition as measured by paired pulse TMS will be increased after true TMS but not sham TMS.

Official Title
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Used to Treat Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Conditions
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Schizophrenia

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Paired Pulse
* Device: Paired Pulse


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Schizophrenia Auditory hallucinations occuring more than 5 times per day Adequate (6 weeks) trial of antipsychotic medication Including at least 1 atypical antipsychotic medication Medication stable for 4 weeks prior to commencement of the study Competent to consent Exclusion Criteria: history of seizure disorder in patient or first degree relative recent head injury Acute suicidality Alcohol or substance abuse Implanted pacemaker or metal in head or neck Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: True Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation<br>True treatment with TMS over the temporoparietal cortex. | Device: Paired Pulse<br>* True treatment with rTMS over the temporoparietal cortex.<br>* Other names: TMS;|
| Sham Comparator: Sham Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation<br>Sham treatment with rTMS over the temporoparietal cortex. | Device: Paired Pulse<br>* Sham treatment with rTMS over the temporoparietal cortex.<br>* Other names: TMS;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hoffman Auditory Hallucination Scale | A series of 7 questions to identify the intensity and severity of the hallucinations | weekly | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) |  | 2 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Paired Pulse