Modulation of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Functional Network in Patients With Schizophrenia

Modulation of rTMS on Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Functional Network in Early Schizophrenia

Based on the hypothesis that high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC) and left parietal cortex(LPC) could normalise cognitive abnormalities by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and cortical-hippocampal function in patients with schizophrenia,this research plan to utilise multimodal functional magnetic imaging method(including structural MRI,resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and 1H-MRS) to investigate therapeutic efficacy of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) on cognitive impairment in SZ patients with memory defects,as well as to elucidate the correlation between treatment effects and hippocampal neuroplasticity.

This study includes 150 schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls.This study will investigate 1).abnormalities of hippocampal neurogenesis in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls by using 1H-MRS technique 2a).potential modulation effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) on hippocampal neurogenesis and cortical-hippocampal function of patients with schizophrenia 2b).the optimal rTMS therapy pattern on promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and improving cortico-hippocampal function by comparing the outcome of stimulating two regions(right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or left parietal cortex) respectively 3).the therapeutic efficacy of rTMS on cognitive impairments and other psychotic symptoms of patients with schizophrenia by adopting cognitive function and psychotic symptoms evaluation,as well as to explore the optimal rTMS treatment pattern on cognitive function by comparing the outcome of stimulating two regions(DLPFC or LPC) respectively 4)association between therapeutic efficacy of rTMS on cognitive deficits and rTMS modulation on hippocampal neurogenesis and its network function,in order to elucidate the underlying mechanism of therapeutic effects of rTMS on cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.

• Early schizophrenia group:

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS) was employed.
2. Meet the diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Diploma in Social Medicine(DSM-V) schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychosis.
3. 18-50years of age,right-handed,normal vision or corrected vision, Han nationality.
4. Disease course less than 5 years.
5. Written informed consent

Observation group: First-episode, In addition to criteria1-3,5,antipsychotics naïve,or antipsychotics withdrawal for more than 3 months.

Intervention group:In addition to criteria 1-6,currently under medication and medically stable for at least 1 month(PANSS score fluctuation<10%);continue the original antipsychotics for at least 1 months after recruitment,with consent of the patients,their psychiatrists and family members.

Exclusion criteria:

Current or past neurological illness,severe physical illness,substance abuse or addiction,alcohol dependence,mental retardation,pregnancy or lactation,extreme agitation, stupor, negative suicide,or those who can not cooperate.A history of MECT within 6 months,or those with contraindications to MRI,rTMS.Medically unstable for at least 1 month (PANSS score fluctuation>10%)

• Healthy controls:

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS) was employed
2. Matched to the early schizophrenia group in terms of age,sex ratio,handedness,and estimated premorbid IQ
3. normal vision or corrected vision, Han nationality
4. Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

History of psychiatric disease in the subjects themselves or a family history of mental disorder in their first-degree relatives,neurological illness,severe physical illness,substance abuse or alcohol dependence,mental retardation.