Transcranial Electric Stimulation in Psychosis Biotypes
About:
Dysfunction of the visual system is involved in the symptoms of individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic bipolar disorder. Transcranial Electric stimulation (tES) is a safe, non-invasive, painless way to stimulate the brain and it has been found to reduce visual hallucinations and improve cognition in individuals with psychosis spectrum disorders. Our study hopes to use EEGs to monitor the effects of specialized transcranial electric stimulation on individuals with psychosis and ultimately improve symptoms.
This study is run through Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/ Harvard Medical School and includes compensation for participants.
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The purpose of this study is to determine whether transcranial electric stimulation designed for individuals psychosis spectrum disorder can improve their symptoms.
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o Individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic disorder between the ages of 18 and 50 who are stable on their medications.
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o Individuals between the ages of 18 and 80 who have Charles Bonnet Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia or individuals with brain lesions that are resulting in visual hallucinations.
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o If the participant is diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, they will receive 5 consecutive days of transcranial electric stimulation.
o If the participant is diagnosed with Charles Bonnet Syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, or is having visual hallucinations, they will receive five consecutive days of transcranial electric stimulation.
o Each participant will come in for follow up visits 5 days after their tES treatment started, and again 30 days after their treatment started. A 3 month follow up may be requested.
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o Questionnaires about your psychiatric, medical, and substance use history at the baseline visit
o Urine test to screen for substance use at the baseline visit
o Transcranial electric stimulation for 5 consecutive days)
o EEG (Electroencephalogram) a follow up visits
o Clinical and cognitive testing at baseline and at each follow-up visit
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Each visit will be held at Massachusetts Mental Health Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
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The compensation for this study is adjusted based on how many of the tasks are completed. Participants will be compensated after completing the five sessions of tES and then again after their one month follow up.
