Using Bilateral Prefrontal and Insular rTMS to Treat Depression in Adults with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation rTMS treatment for depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder SSD. Many SSD patients with depression have poorer quality of life, higher suicide risk, and worse clinical outcomes compared to those with SSD alone. The study focuses on using rTMS targeting brain areas linked to depressive symptoms in schizophrenia, a combination of conditions that severely impact mental health. Participants will receive either active or sham rTMS using an FDA-cleared H4 coil that targets bilateral insula and prefrontal cortices. Treatments are delivered in up to 20 visits over about 4 weeks, with each visit including three rTMS sessions separated by 30-minute breaks. Each TMS session lasts about 3 to 4 minutes. The study compares active stimulation to sham to assess effects on depressive symptoms in schizophrenia. During the study, participants will be assessed multiple times including baseline, midpoint around 2 weeks, and end of treatment around 4 weeks. Evaluations include brain connectivity measured by functional MRI, electrophysiological responses via EEG, and depression scales like the Calgary Depression Scale. These assessments will help researchers understand how rTMS affects brain function and depressive symptoms. The study continues until June 2030 and includes safety monitoring and detailed evaluations throughout the treatment period.

Bilateral Prefrontal and Insular TMS for Depression in Schizophrenia