The Effects of Non-invasive Brain Stimulation on Treatment Adherence in Schizophrenia

Participation Requirements

• Sex:

  ALL

• Eligible Ages:

  18 and up

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female participants of any race or ethnicity
2. Inpatients or outpatients ≥18 years of age
3. DSM-V diagnosis of SCZ or schizoaffective disorder
4. Capable of consenting to participate in the research study
5. On a stable dose of antipsychotic drug and other concomitant medications for at least 2 months, and unlikely to undergo changes in dose during the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unwilling or incapable to consent to the study based on the MacArthur Test of Competence
2. Unstable medical or any concomitant major medical or neurological illness, including a history of seizures
3. Acute suicidal or homicidal ideation
4. Formal thought disorder rating ≥3 on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) P2 conceptual disorganization item
5. DSM-V substance dependence (except caffeine and nicotine) within 1 month of entering the study\*
6. Positive urine drug screen except for cannabis/marijuana at the screening visit
7. Metal implants or pacemaker precluding an MRI scan or other contraindications to MRI (eg., claustrophobia)
8. Pregnancy
9. Score \< 32 on the Wide Range Achievement Test-III

* Substance misuse: In addition to impaired insight, substance misuse is one of the principle contributors to medication nonadherence. To minimize the possibility of its influence, participants with a DSM-V diagnosis of substance dependence within 1 month of entering the study or a positive urine drug test (except for cannabis/marijuana) at the screening visit will be excluded. Substance use and urine drug screens will be assessed at subsequent study visits.