Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) for the Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) for the Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the iTBS is an effective treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

This study will evaluate whether the intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), a new high frequency TMS protocol is efficient in the treatment of the Negative Symptoms of schizophrenia.

Neuroimaging studies demonstrate that hypoactivity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (LDLPFC) was associated with negative symptoms.

The investigators hypothesize that iTBS applied to LDLPFC will improve negative symptoms and will improve activity of the LDLPFC measured with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Schizophrenia according to DSM-IV
• Negative symptoms for at least 6 weeks
• Medication resistance according to Kane et al., 1988
• Age between 18 and 50 years old
• Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Contraindication to TMS
• Pregnancy