Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for First-episode Schizophrenia Patients

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for First-episode Schizophrenia Patients:A Double-blinded , Randomized and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)Study

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)in the first-episode Schizophrenic patients: the clinical and MRI findings

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 16-45 years
• Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-IV criteria(by a board-certified psychiatrist)
• PANSS>=60
• First episode, and the patients haven't use any antipsychotic drugs

Exclusion Criteria:

• Suicide risk

• Diagnose of substance abuse/dependance

• Severe uncontrolled organic disease that may interfere in the patient´s participation in the study

• Contraindication to TMS:

  1. Implanted pacemaker
  2. Medication pump
  3. Vagal stimulator
  4. Deep brain stimulator
  5. Metallic hardware in the head or scalp: shrapnel, surgical clips, or fragments from welding
  6. Signs of increased intracranial pressure

• Pregnancy or lactating; note that a negative pregnancy test will be required if the patient is a female in reproductive years

• Estimated IQ less than 80

• Have a sibling or parent with epilepsy