Brain Stimulation to the Hippocampus in Schizophrenia

Launched by STANFORD UNIVERSITY · May 30, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new approach to treating schizophrenia, a serious mental health condition that can cause symptoms like delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), and difficulties with thinking and memory. The focus of the study is on using a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which is a non-invasive method that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain, particularly the hippocampus. Researchers hope that by targeting this part of the brain, they can improve our understanding of schizophrenia and potentially lead to better treatment options.

To participate in this trial, individuals must be between 18 and 65 years old and have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or related disorders. They should not have other major neurological issues or a history of significant head injuries. Participants will be closely monitored during the study, and it is important that they are able to understand the study details and provide consent. The trial is currently not recruiting participants, but it aims to offer new insights into how brain stimulation might become a helpful therapy for those living with schizophrenia.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Men and women, ages 18 to 65 years
• • Medically intractable epilepsy requiring phase II monitoring (intracranial EEG arms only)
• • DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum Axis I disorders including delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder (non-invasive TMS-EEG arms only).
• • Must have intellectual capacity to ensure adequate comprehension of the study and potential risks involved in order to provide informed consent
• • No current or history of major neurological disorders other than epilepsy.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • DSM5 diagnosis of intellectual disability
• • Significant head injury
• • Active suicidal ideation or history of suicide attempt within the past 1 year.
• • Medical illness affecting brain structure or function, or other uncontrolled or unstable medical condition.
• • Pregnancy or postpartum (\<6 weeks after delivery or miscarriage)
• • Inability to provide informed consent
• • Active substance abuse other than alcohol or cannabis within the past 1 year
• • Psychotic illness with a temporal relation to substance use or head injury
• • Those with a contraindication for MRIs or TMS (e.g. implanted metal).