The Effects of tDCS on Illness Awareness in Schizophrenia

Participation Requirements

• Sex:

  ALL

• Eligible Ages:

  18 and up

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female inpatients or outpatients ≥ 18 years of age
2. Having a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
3. Voluntary and capable of consenting to participation in the research study
4. Fluent in English
5. Moderate-to-severe lack of illness awareness (≥3 on PANSS G12 Insight and Judgment item)
6. On a stable dose of antipsychotic and other concomitant medications, and unlikely to undergo changes in dose during the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Serious unstable medical illness or any concomitant major medical or neurological illness, including a history of seizures or a first degree relative with a history of a seizure disorder
2. Acute suicidal and/or homicidal ideation
3. Formal thought disorder rating of over 2 on the (Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms) SAPS.
4. DSM-IV substance dependence (except caffeine and nicotine) within one month prior to entering the study
5. Pregnant women
6. Mild lack of insight to good illness awareness (\<3 on PANSS G12 Insight and Judgment item).
7. Positive urine drug screen for drugs of abuse
8. Currently taking antiepileptics
9. Any contraindications to MRI (eg., metal implants that would preclude an MRI, claustrophobia)
10. Score \< 32 on the Wide Range Achievement Test-III (WRAT III)