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NCT07155096Completed

Accelerated DMN-Targeted cTBS to Modulate DMN Connectivity

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 15 Sept 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

The central hypothesis is this: DMN connectivity can be modulated with inhibitory cTBS when delivered on an accelerated treatment schedule. This study seeks to provide evidence that accelerated, network-targeted inhibitory stimulation of the DMN leads to both altered network activity and a concomitant behavioral change in cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This study will also compare the effect of inhibitory cTBS in healthy individuals, as it may also lead to both altered network activity and a behavioral change in cognitive performance in individuals without schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. If successful, this study will have identified a safe, effective, and broadly applicable treatment for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia that has potential for translation into many other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism.

Status (registry)
Completed
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
37 (actual)
First submitted
26 Aug 2025
Start date
9 Sept 2024
Primary completion date
29 Jan 2026
Lead sponsor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
NCT number
NCT07155096

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional
  • Participants enrolled: 37
  • From 9 Sept 2024 to the primary completion date, 29 Jan 2026
  • 1 site in 1 country
  • Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Age

  • • DSM-5 intellectual disability
    • Substance use disorder (other than nicotine) within the past three months
    • Current, active suicidal ideation with intent or plan, as assessed by a score of 5 or higher on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale question #4 Suicidality.
    • Positive urine drug screen for illicit substance use that can increase seizure risk (cocaine, benzodiazepines, amphetamine, methamphetamine)
    • Any history of a progressive or genetic neurologic disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, tuberous sclerosis, Alzheimer's Disease) or acquired neurological disease (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, tumor), including intracranial lesions
    • History of head trauma resulting in any loss of consciousness (\>15 minutes) or neurological sequelae
    • Current history of poorly controlled headaches including chronic medication for migraine prevention
    • History of fainting spells of unknown or undetermined etiology that might constitute seizures
    • History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, or immediate (1st degree relative) family history epilepsy with the exception of a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizures) in the judgment of a board-certified neurologist
    • Chronic (particularly) uncontrolled medical conditions that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.)
    • Any metal in the brain or skull (excluding dental fillings) or elsewhere in the body unless cleared by the responsible covering MD (e.g. MRI compatible joint replacement)
    • Any devices such as pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator, TENS unit, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt unless cleared by the responsible covering MD
    • All female participants of child-bearing age will be required to have a pregnancy test; any participant who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant will not be enrolled in the study
    • Medications will be reviewed by the responsible covering physician and a decision about inclusion will be made based on the participant's past medical history, drug dose, history of recent medication changes or duration of treatment, and use of CNS active drugs. The published TMS guidelines review of medications to be considered with rTMS will be taken into consideration given their described effects on cortical excitability measures.
    • Any changes in medications or hospitalizations within the past 30 days.
    • Participants who, in the investigator's opinion, might not be suitable for the study or would be unable to tolerate the study visit

Who the study is looking for

  • Age between 18-65 years
  • Diagnosis of either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-5 criteria and confirmed by SCID (First et al. 2015)
  • Must be able to read, speak and understand English
  • Must be judged by study staff to be capable of completing the study procedures
  • Participants will be in stable outpatient psychiatric treatment and psychiatrically stable with no recent (within the past 30 days) psychiatric hospitalizations or changes in their psychiatric medication regimens.

Age in the registry: 18 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
NashvilleUnited StatesUnknown status

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.