Schizophrenia: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (RTMS) in the Treatment of Negative Symptoms and Social Dysfunction in Schizophrenia Patients

Contact name: Timothy Spellman

Phone: (212)-543-6759

Fax: (212)-543-5088

Email: spellma@pi.cpmc.columbia.edu

Disorder: Schizophrenia

Geographic location: New York, NY

Other keywords: Schizophrenia, TMS, Negative Symptoms

Participant compensation: Travel reimbursement for 1-month and 2-month follow up visits

Time commitment required: 4-8 weeks daily treatment, 2 monthly follow up visits

Drug trial: No

Recruitment end date (approximate): October 4, 2006

Study criteria (i.e., age or gender requirements):
Current diagnosis of schizophrenia. Stable treatment of medication and/or therapy for at least 4 weeks. Age requirement 18-55.

Exclusion criteria:
Some exclusion criteria are:
Schizoaffective disorder, current depression, bipolar, dysthymia
Current illicit drug use
Use of benzodiapenes > 3mg
Previous stroke or head injury resulting in loss of consciousness
Prior treatment with TMS or Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
Metal objects in head or implanted in body
Pregnancy/breastfeeding
Neurological Disorder
History of Seizure or Stroke

Brief description of study:
This study is a trial of an inpatient and outpatient, non-invasive investigational treatment called Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). rTMS applies a magnetic field to the brain for a brief period of time. We are testing whether rTMS can treat the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Participants may be randomly assigned to either active rTMS or sham (placebo) rTMS. If patients receive sham and do not improve, they have the option of receiving real rTMS.

Additional information: