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Recruiting NCT05435300

Does tDCS Change Synaptic Density in the Brains of Patients With Schizophrenia

— Observational Schizophrenia Schizoaffective

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: PET Scan.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Canada
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Overview

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).

Detailed description

The aim of our study is to examine if tDCS induces synaptic density changes in patients with schizophrenia using \[18F\]SDM-8. Our study will help elucidate the mechanism through which tDCS affects the brain.

PET scans will be offered to participants that meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria at the initial screening visit. Participants will be scanned with the novel PET tracer \[18F\]SDM-8 to quantify synaptic density levels. PET scans will be timed to coincide to the two time-points, before and after 2-weeks of tDCS treatment that is completed under the parent study protocol (REB #103-2018). Clinical assessments will be done at the same time.

Interventions

  • Other PET Scan
    Participants will undergo two PET scans throughout the study.

Primary outcome measures

  • Synaptic density changes [Time frame: PET scans will be timed to coincide to the two time-points, before and after 2-weeks of tDCS treatment that is completed under the parent study protocol (REB #103-2018)]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

Enrolment in the tDCS-adherence parent study (REB# 103-2018). The parent study inclusion criteria are:

  • Male or female participants of any race or ethnicity
  • Inpatients or outpatients ≥18 years of age
  • DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
  • Capable of consenting to participate in the research study
  • On a stable dose of oral antipsychotic drug and other concomitant medications for at least 2 months, and unlikely to undergo changes in dose during the study.

Exclusion criteria

The exclusion criteria for this study will be the same as the parent study (REB 103-2018). The parent study exclusion criteria are:

  • Unwilling or incapable to consent to the study based on the MacArthur Test of Competence
  • Unstable medical or any concomitant major medical or neurological illness, including a history of seizures
  • Acute suicidal or homicidal ideation
  • Formal thought disorder rating ≥3 on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) P2 conceptual disorganization item
  • DSM-V substance dependence (except caffeine, nicotine, and cannabis/marijuana) within 1 month of entering the study
  • Positive urine drug screen except for cannabis/marijuana at the screening visit
  • Metal implants or pacemaker precluding an MRI scan or other contraindications to MRI (e.g., claustrophobia)
  • Pregnancy
  • Score <32 on the Wide Range Achievement Test-III

Additional exclusion criteria for this companion study are:

  • Unwilling or incapable to consent to the study based on the MacArthur Test of Competence
  • Exposure to long-acting injectable antipsychotics in the last 6 months
  • Exceeding allowed annual radiation exposure levels (20 mSv), as outlined by our PET Centre guidelines
  • Receiving treatment with medications such as levetiracetam that blocks SV2a binding
  • Disorders of coagulation or taking anticoagulant medication
  • Having completed multiple PET scans in the past, such that participation in this study would cause participant to exceed lifetime limit (8 PET scans)

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Observational model
Case-only

Study locations

Canada · 1 center
  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health — Toronto

Identifiers

NCT: NCT05435300 · 118/2020

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗