Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

NCT number NCT05440955
Other study ID # STICOG
Secondary ID
Status Not yet recruiting
Phase N/A
First received
Last updated
Start date June 1, 2023
Est. completion date June 1, 2027

Study information

Verified date May 2022
Source University Hospital, Grenoble
Contact Julien COLOMBAT
Phone 04 76 76 56 09
Email jcolombat@chu-grenoble.fr
Is FDA regulated No
Health authority
Study type Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Background: In parallel to the traditional symptomatology, deficits in cognition (memory, attention, reasoning, social functioning) contribute significantly to disability and suffering in individuals with schizophrenia. Cognitive deficits have been closely linked to alterations in early auditory processes (EAP) that occur in auditory cortical areas. Preliminary evidence indicates that cognitive deficits in schizophrenia can be improved with a reliable and safe non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation). However, a significant proportion of patients derive no cognitive benefits after tDCS treatment. Further, the neurobiological mechanisms of cognitive changes after tDCS have been poorly explored in trials and are thus still unclear. Method: The study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, 2-arm parallel-group, sham controlled, 4-centers trial. Sixty participants with recent-onset schizophrenia and cognitive impairment will be randomly allocated to receive either active (n=30) or sham (n=30) tDCS (20-min, 2-mA, 10 sessions during 5 consecutive weekdays). The anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode over the left auditory cortex. Cognition, tolerance, symptoms, general outcome and EAP (measured with EEG and multimodal MRI) will be assessed prior to tDCS (baseline), after the 10 sessions, and at 1- and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome will be the number of responders, defined as participants demonstrating a cognitive improvement ≥Z=0.5 from baseline on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery total score at 1-month follow-up. Additionally, we will measure how differences in EAP modulate individual cognitive benefits from active tDCS and whether there are changes in EAP measures in responders after active tDCS. Discussion: Besides proposing a new fronto-temporal tDCS protocol by targeting the auditory cortical areas, we aim to conduct an RCT with follow-up assessments up to 3-months and a large sample size. In addition, this study will allow identifying and assessing the value of a wide range of neurobiological EAP measures for predicting and explaining cognitive deficits improvement after tDCS. The results of this trial will constitute a step toward the use of tDCS as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of cognitive impairment in recent-onset schizophrenia.


Recruitment information / eligibility

Status Not yet recruiting
Enrollment 60
Est. completion date June 1, 2027
Est. primary completion date June 1, 2026
Accepts healthy volunteers No
Gender All
Age group 18 Years to 35 Years
Eligibility The inclusion criteria include: 1. subjects of both genders, diagnosed with recent-onset schizophrenia (first 3 years of illness), confirmed through the Structured Clinical Interview for the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (SCID-5); 2. aged 18-35 years; 3. intelligence quotient (IQ) > 55; 4. cognitive deficit confirmed by a MCCB (MATRICS Cognitive Consensus Battery) total score T-score < 40; 5. the subjects should be receiving stable doses of antipsychotics for = 4 weeks; 6. the subjects are covered by a public health insurance. The exclusion criteria include: 1. pregnant (controlled by urine pregnancy test in females of childbearing age) or breastfeeding women; 2. unstable or acute medical conditions; 3. subjects who receive involuntary treatment or guardianship; 4. history of cranioencephalic trauma with loss of consciousness or central nervous system diseases that affect the brain; 5. use of drugs that affect cognitive performance such as anticholinergic agents and benzodiazepines; 6. current diagnosis of substance abuse or history of substance dependence in the last 6 months, except nicotine; 7. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), PET (Positron Emission Tomography) or tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) contraindications

Study Design


Intervention

Device:
left fronto-temporal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
The study intervention consists of ten 20-minutes sessions of active or sham tDCS. Sessions will be delivered twice daily and separated by at least 2 hours for 5 consecutive weekdays. The electric current will be generated by an electric stimulator (class IIa medical device). During the entire tDCS session, the subject is at "rest", comfortably seated in a chair in a quiet room. A clinician will be present for the entire session duration. The current will be applied via a pair of rubber electrodes (35 cm²) placed on the surface of the scalp. The anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The cathode will be placed over the left auditory cortex. The stimulation parameters will be set at 2-mA for 20 minutes, with a progressive increase during the first 30-sec and a progressive decrease during the last 30-sec of each session. The impedance of the applied current is monitored by the stimulator during each session.

Locations

Country Name City State
France CH Le Vinatier Bron
France CHU Grenoble Alpes La Tronche Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
France CH Alpes-Isère Saint-Égrève Rhône-Alpes
France CHU Saint-Etienne Saint-Étienne

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor Collaborator
University Hospital, Grenoble Direction Générale de l'Offre de Soins

Country where clinical trial is conducted

France, 

Outcome

Type Measure Description Time frame Safety issue
Primary Cognitive response Number of responders at 1-month after tDCS, defined as the proportion of patients demonstrating a cognitive improvement greater than or equal to Z=0.5 from baseline on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery total score (MCCB). The MCCB is a gold-standard standardized test battery to assess cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia. This criterion has been used and validated in both antipsychotic and cognitive remediation trials in schizophrenia. at 1-month follow-up
Secondary Long term cognitive response Number of responders at 3-months after tDCS, defined as the proportion of patients demonstrating a cognitive improvement greater than or equal to Z=0.5 from baseline on the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery total score (MCCB). The MCCB is a gold-standard standardized test battery to assess cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia. This criterion has been used and validated in both antipsychotic and cognitive remediation trials in schizophrenia. at inclusion; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Cognitive domain response Changes from baseline to 1-month and 3-months endpoints in each MCCB domains subscores (processing speed, attention/vigilance, working memory, verbal learning, visual learning, problem solving, emotional awareness) and total score. at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Clinical response 1 Changes from baseline to after tDCS, 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following symptom measure:
• Schizophrenia symptoms will be assessed using the PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) total score.
at inclusion; at 1-week; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Clinical response 2 Changes from baseline to after tDCS, 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following symptom measure:
• Auditory hallucinations, one of the key symptoms of schizophrenia, will be assessed using the AHRS (Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale)
at inclusion; at 1-week; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Clinical response 3 Changes from baseline to after tDCS, 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following symptom measure:
• Negative symptoms will be additionally assessed using the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS).
at inclusion; at 1-week; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Clinical response 4 Changes from baseline to after tDCS, 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following symptom measure:
• Depressive symptoms will be assessed using the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) total score.
at inclusion; at 1-week; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Clinical response 5 Changes from baseline to after tDCS, 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following symptom measure:
• Global symptom severity and treatment response will be assessed using the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) total score.
at inclusion; at 1-week; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Clinical response 6 Changes from baseline to after tDCS, 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following symptom measure:
• Subjective experience of negative symptoms will be assessed using the Self-evaluation of Negative Symptoms (SNS) total score
at inclusion; at 1-week; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Clinical response 7 Changes from baseline to after tDCS, 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following symptom measure:
• Subjective experiences of cognitive impairment will be assessed using the self-rated Subjective Scale To Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) total score.
at inclusion; at 1-week; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Outcome response 1 Changes from baseline to 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following general outcome measures:
• Functional outcome will be assessed using the FROGS (Functional Remission Observatory Group in Schizophrenia) total score
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Outcome response 2 Changes from baseline to 1-month and 3-months endpoints in the following general outcome measures:
• Quality of life will be assessed by the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (S-QoL 18) total score
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up; at 3-months follow-up
Secondary Tolerance 1 Score after the last tDCS session in the following tolerance measure:
• tDCS-AEQ (Adverse Effects Questionnaire)
at 1-week
Secondary Tolerance 2 Score after the last tDCS session in the following tolerance measure:
• VAMS (Visual Analogue Mood Scale)
at 1-week
Secondary Response marker 1 The differences at baseline in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• correlations (z-scores) between left prefrontal and temporal cortical areas (i.e., areas stimulated with tDCS) measured with resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
at inclusion
Secondary Response marker 2 The differences at baseline in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• spectral power (dB) in gamma frequency (40-Hz) during specific auditory paradigms (auditory steady-state, oddball, tone-matching) measured with electroencephalography (EEG).
at inclusion
Secondary Response marker 3 The differences at baseline in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• inter-assay coherence (%) in gamma frequency (40-Hz) during specific auditory paradigms (auditory steady-state, oddball, tone-matching) measured with electroencephalography (EEG).
at inclusion
Secondary Response marker 4 The differences at baseline in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• GABA and Glutamate levels (mM) within left prefrontal and temporal cortical areas measured with resting-state Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)
at inclusion
Secondary Response marker 5 The differences at baseline in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• radiotracer binding potential on GABA-A receptors (Binding Potential) within left prefrontal and temporal cortical areas measured with resting-state [11C]flumazenil Positron Emission Tomography MRI (PET-MRI).
at inclusion
Secondary Response predictor 1 Changes from baseline to 1-month in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• correlations (z-scores) between left prefrontal and temporal cortical areas (i.e., areas stimulated with tDCS) measured with resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up
Secondary Response predictor 2 Changes from baseline to 1-month in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• spectral power (dB) in gamma frequency (40-Hz) during specific auditory paradigms (auditory steady-state, oddball, tone-matching) measured with electroencephalography (EEG).
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up
Secondary Response predictor 3 Changes from baseline to 1-month in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• inter-assay coherence (%) in gamma frequency (40-Hz) during specific auditory paradigms (auditory steady-state, oddball, tone-matching) measured with electroencephalography (EEG).
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up
Secondary Response predictor 4 Changes from baseline to 1-month in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• GABA and Glutamate levels (mM) within left prefrontal and temporal cortical areas measured with resting-state Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up
Secondary Response predictor 5 Changes from baseline to 1-month in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• GABA and Glutamate levels (mM) within left prefrontal and temporal cortical areas measured with resting-state Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up
Secondary Response predictor 6 Changes from baseline 1-month in the following early auditory processing (EAP) measure between patients with cognitive improvement and patients without cognitive improvement after active tDCS:
• radiotracer binding potential on GABA-A receptors (Binding Potential) within left prefrontal and temporal cortical areas measured with resting-state [11C]flumazenil Positron Emission Tomography MRI (PET-MRI).
at inclusion; at 1-month follow-up
See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT05039489 - A Study on the Brain Mechanism of cTBS in Improving Medication-resistant Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia N/A
Completed NCT05111548 - Brain Stimulation and Cognitive Training - Efficacy N/A
Completed NCT05321602 - Study to Evaluate the PK Profiles of LY03010 in Patients With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder Phase 1
Completed NCT04503954 - Efficacy of Chronic Disease Self-management Program in People With Schizophrenia N/A
Completed NCT02831231 - Pilot Study Comparing Effects of Xanomeline Alone to Xanomeline Plus Trospium Phase 1
Completed NCT05517460 - The Efficacy of Auricular Acupressure on Improving Constipation Among Residents in Community Rehabilitation Center N/A
Completed NCT03652974 - Disturbance of Plasma Cytokine Parameters in Clozapine-Resistant Treatment-Refractory Schizophrenia (CTRS) and Their Association With Combination Therapy Phase 4
Recruiting NCT04012684 - rTMS on Mismatch Negativity of Schizophrenia N/A
Recruiting NCT04481217 - Cognitive Factors Mediating the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia N/A
Completed NCT00212784 - Efficacy and Safety of Asenapine Using an Active Control in Subjects With Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder (25517)(P05935) Phase 3
Completed NCT04092686 - A Clinical Trial That Will Study the Efficacy and Safety of an Investigational Drug in Acutely Psychotic People With Schizophrenia Phase 3
Completed NCT01914393 - Pediatric Open-Label Extension Study Phase 3
Recruiting NCT03790345 - Vitamin B6 and B12 in the Treatment of Movement Disorders Induced by Antipsychotics Phase 2/Phase 3
Recruiting NCT05956327 - Insight Into Hippocampal Neuroplasticity in Schizophrenia by Investigating Molecular Pathways During Physical Training N/A
Terminated NCT03209778 - Involuntary Memories Investigation in Schizophrenia N/A
Terminated NCT03261817 - A Controlled Study With Remote Web-based Adapted Physical Activity (e-APA) in Psychotic Disorders N/A
Completed NCT02905604 - Magnetic Stimulation of the Brain in Schizophrenia or Depression N/A
Recruiting NCT05542212 - Intra-cortical Inhibition and Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia N/A
Completed NCT04411979 - Effects of 12 Weeks Walking on Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia N/A
Terminated NCT03220438 - TMS Enhancement of Visual Plasticity in Schizophrenia N/A