Actively Recruiting
Does tDCS Change Synaptic Density in the Brains of Patients With Schizophrenia
Led by Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Updated on 2025-09-23
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
236 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study will examine changes in synaptic density with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Synaptic density levels will be measured using a novel positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer \[18F\]SDM-8, which is currently the best-in-class method to quantify synaptic density in humans. This will be a companion study to a parent study by our group examining the effects of tDCS on treatment adherence in schizophrenia (REB #103-2018).
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Does tDCS Change Synaptic Density in the Brains of Patients With Schizophrenia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participant is enrolled in the tDCS-adherence parent study (REB# 103-2018).
- Male or female of any race or ethnicity.
- Inpatient or outpatient aged 18 years or older.
- Diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-V.
- Able to consent to participate in the research.
- On a stable dose of oral antipsychotic and other medications for at least 2 months, with unlikely dose changes during the study.
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable or unwilling to consent based on the MacArthur Test of Competence.
- Unstable medical condition or major medical/neurological illness, including history of seizures.
- Acute suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
- Formal thought disorder rating of 3 or higher on PANSS P2 conceptual disorganization item.
- Substance dependence (excluding caffeine, nicotine, and cannabis) within 1 month before study.
- Positive urine drug screen for substances other than cannabis at screening.
- Metal implants or pacemaker preventing MRI or other MRI contraindications such as claustrophobia.
- Pregnancy.
- Score below 32 on the Wide Range Achievement Test-III.
- Exposure to long-acting injectable antipsychotics within the last 6 months.
- Exceeding allowed annual radiation exposure limits (20 mSv) per PET Centre guidelines.
- Taking medications like levetiracetam that block SV2a binding.
- Disorders of coagulation or use of anticoagulant medication.
- Having had multiple PET scans previously that would exceed the lifetime limit of 8 PET scans.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 1R8
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Philip Gerretsen, MD, PhD
CONTACT
A
Ariel Graff, MD, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
1
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here