Multimodal MRI-guided rTMS to Treat Refractory Hallucinations

Multimodal MRI-guided Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Drug-resistant Hallucinations: a Randomized Control Trial

• The efficacy of neuro-navigated rTMS for patients with schizophrenia suffering from drug-resistant multisensory hallucinations will be tested by the implementation of a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT)
• This study will use a combination of different MRI modalities (fMRI and DTI) to define with precision rTMS brain-targets in the case of multisensory hallucinations
• The investigators anticipate that multimodal MRI-guided rTMS will allow a significant improvement in the efficacy of neuromodulation treatment of refractory hallucinations

Inclusion Criteria:

• Right-handed Female/Male, [13-60 y.o.],
• Schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR diagnosis),
• Drug-resistant hallucinations (Kinon & Kane criteria, 1993),
• Unmodified antipsychotic dosage during the 30 days preceding rMTS,
• No anticonvulsive medication,
• No neurological disorder, no addictive behavior,
• Matched for sex, age and PANSS scores,
• Consent to participate to the study,

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Contraindication to MRI scan
• Contraindication to rTMS treatment
• Claustrophobia
• No social insurance