Actively Recruiting
Enhancing Prefrontal Oscillations and Working Memory in Early-course Schizophrenia
Led by Fabio Ferrarelli · Updated on 2026-02-09
75
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
247 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
F
Fabio Ferrarelli
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
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
Official Title
Enhancing Prefrontal Oscillations and Working Memory in Early-course Schizophrenia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum Axis I disorders
- Psychosis symptoms or treatment started less than three years ago according to clinical guidelines
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of intellectual developmental disorder
- Significant head injury
- Medical illness affecting brain structure or function
- Significant neurologic disorder such as seizure disorder
- Personal or family history of epilepsy
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Concussion with loss of consciousness longer than 10 minutes
- History of electroconvulsive therapy
- Diabetes with seizures, loss of sensation or weakness in limbs, or momentary loss of consciousness
- Pregnancy or postpartum less than 6 weeks after delivery or miscarriage
- Psychotic illness related to substance use or head injury
- Current or past alcohol or psychoactive substance dependence
- Substance abuse other than cannabis or alcohol within the past year
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sabine Janssen
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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