Improving Cognition in Schizophrenia Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation

A Pilot Study of Improving Cognition in Schizophrenia Using Direct Current Stimulation

This is a double-blind sham-controlled study to evaluate the effects of the combination of non-invasive brain stimulation, i.e. transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), with brief cognitive training (CT) on cognition in patients with schizophrenia. All participants will practice the same cognitive training tasks and will be randomised to either real tDCS or sham stimulation. Patients with schizophrenia will undergo the study interventions while maintaining their standard treatment with antipsychotic medications.

Inclusion Criteria:

• DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Treatment with stable doses of antipsychotic medications. For the purpose of this study stability is defined as a not more than 50% change in the dose of their antipsychotic medication 3 months preceding the screening visit.
• Age between 18 and 55 years
• Written and witnessed informed consent
• Participants must read and write in English at a level sufficient to understand and complete study-related procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

DSM-IV diagnosis of alcohol or drug dependence in the 6 months, current treatment with benzodiazepines or hypnotics

• Current or past skin disease
• History of a neurological disorder or a systemic illness with known neurological complications; including epilepsy
• History of seizures
• Head injury, accompanied with loss of consciousness or/and required hospitalization
• Unwillingness or inability to follow or comply with the procedures outlined in the protocol