Gentle brain stimulation to help tell self from others in schizophrenia
Tests brain stimulation against a sham version in adults with schizophrenia.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: tACS for Self-Other Boundary in Schizophrenia
Key facts
- Where
- Hefei, ChinaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 50 years old?
Source: NCT07818668, who can take part
Where in China
- The Fourth People's Hospital of HefeiHefei, ChinaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Chunyan Zhu
- Trial code
- NCT07818668
- Record updated
- 17 September 2026
- Original description
This clinical trial investigates whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can improve the ability to distinguish between "self" and "others" in patients with schizophrenia. The intervention targets the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region critical for self-awareness, using 10Hz stimulation at 2mA for 20 minutes daily over five consecutive days.Read full original descriptionShow less
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) at 10 Hz Targeting Medial Prefrontal Cortex for Improving Self-Other Differentiation in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Trial
This clinical trial investigates whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can improve the ability to distinguish between "self" and "others" in patients with schizophrenia. The intervention targets the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region critical for self-awareness, using 10Hz stimulation at 2mA for 20 minutes daily over five consecutive days.
The study has two main objectives. First, it aims to characterize the underlying mechanisms of self-other boundary dysfunction in schizophrenia by comparing behavioral and brain activity patterns among three participant groups: patients with schizophrenia, individuals with high schizotypal traits, and healthy volunteers. During this mechanism phase, participants perform two computer-based self-other face recognition tasks designed to manipulate prior probability (varying the proportion of self vs. other faces across blocks) and perceptual uncertainty (adjusting the Gaussian blur level of face images), while their brain activity is recorded via EEG. Behavioral performance (response time, accuracy, and sensitivity d') and EEG markers (alpha-band power, N170, and P1 components) are analyzed to quantify deficits in predictive coding.
Second, the study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of tACS in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. The primary hypothesis is that active tACS, compared to sham stimulation, will significantly improve patients' accuracy in distinguishing self from other faces, accompanied by enhanced alpha-band brain oscillations and reduced scores on the Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) scale.
All participants will undergo clinical assessments, complete the face recognition tasks while their brain activity is monitored via EEG, and complete follow-up assessments 48 hours after the last stimulation session. The findings from this study may provide a novel, mechanism-based non-pharmacological intervention for addressing core self-disturbance in schizophrenia, potentially improving patients' social functioning and quality of life.
Inclusion: Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria; Presence of hallucinations or delusions; Age between 18 and 50 years; Clinically stable on a stable dose of antipsychotic medication for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment, with no anticipated medication changes during the study period; Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (≥ 20/40) as assessed by standard visual acuity test; Able to understand and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion: Previous receipt of non-invasive brain stimulation (e.g., tACS, tDCS, rTMS); Metal implants in the head or skull (e.g., cochlear implants, deep brain stimulators); History of neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury); Presence of other major psychiatric disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder); History of substance dependence or abuse within the past 6 months; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Presence of skin lesions, wounds, or sensitive skin at electrode placement sites (Fpz, AF7, AF8, F5, F6).