Clinical Research Directory

Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Auditory Hallucinations

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TBS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, can help reduce persistent auditory verbal hallucinations (hearing voices) in adults with psychotic disorders who have not responded adequately to antipsychotic medications. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does theta-burst stimulation reduce the severity of auditory verbal hallucinations? * Does theta-burst stimulation improve other psychiatric symptoms, including depressive symptoms and insight into illness? * How well do participants tolerate this treatment, and what side effects do they experience? All participants will receive active theta-burst stimulation. There is no placebo or comparison group. Participants will: * Complete an initial assessment of their mental health, symptoms, and medical history. * Receive 20 brain stimulation sessions over two consecutive weeks, with two sessions per day on weekdays. * Complete follow-up assessments approximately one week and one month after treatment to evaluate changes in symptoms and overall functioning. * Report any side effects experienced during treatment and follow-up.

Neuronavigated rTMS for Treatment-Resistant Auditory Hallucinations

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH), such as hearing voices in the absence of an external sound source, are a common and distressing symptom of schizophrenia. In some patients, hallucinations persist despite treatment with antipsychotic medication. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that may reduce auditory hallucinations by decreasing activity in brain regions involved in auditory and language processing. This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study will investigate whether individualized, neuronavigated inhibitory rTMS can reduce persistent auditory verbal hallucinations. Forty adults with medication-resistant auditory hallucinations will be randomly assigned to receive either active rTMS or sham stimulation. For each participant, the stimulation target in the primary auditory cortex will be individually identified using electroencephalography (EEG), acoustic evoked potentials, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based neuronavigation. Participants will receive two rTMS sessions per day for five consecutive days. The severity of auditory hallucinations will be assessed before and after treatment and at a 28-day follow-up. The study will also investigate whether treatment is associated with changes in brain activity and functional connectivity measured by EEG, including changes in the P300 event-related potential.