Bilateral Prefrontal and Insular TMS for Depression in Schizophrenia

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER, HOUSTON · Jul 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to help reduce depression symptoms in people who have schizophrenia. rTMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain, aiming to improve mood and overall well-being. The study is not yet enrolling participants but will include adults aged 18 to 60 who have been diagnosed with a schizophrenia-related disorder and are currently experiencing symptoms of depression.

If you join the study, you will need to be able to give informed consent, which means understanding and agreeing to participate. The treatment involves receiving rTMS targeting certain brain areas linked to mood. People with serious medical conditions affecting the brain, significant substance use (other than nicotine or marijuana), or who are pregnant will not be eligible. Also, participants must be able to undergo MRI scans unless they have metal implants that prevent this. This trial aims to find a safe and effective way to help improve depressive symptoms in schizophrenia, offering hope for better treatment options in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male and female ages between ages 18-60 years.
• • Ability to give written informed consent (age 18 or above).
• • Diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder and Evaluation to Sign Consent (ESC) above 10.
• • Score of Calgary depression scale for schizophrenia (CDSS) ≥ 3.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Inability to sign informed consent.
• • Any major medical illnesses that may affect normal brain functioning. Examples of these conditions include, but are not limited to: stroke, repeated seizure, history of significant head trauma with cognitive sequela, CNS infection or tumor, other significant brain neurological conditions.
• • Significant alcohol or other drug use other than nicotine or marijuana dependence.
• • Inability to refrain from using alcohol and/or marijuana 24 hours or more prior to experiments.
• • Pregnancy, as classified by a woman of child-bearing potential who is not using a contraceptive and has missed a menstrual period; or by self-report; or by positive urine pregnancy test.
• • For MRI, inability to participate in the MRI scanning due to metallic devices or objects (cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator, some artificial joints, metal pins, surgical clips or other implanted metal parts) or declining to get in the scanner.
• • Failed TMS safety questionnaire.