NCT05435300

Does tDCS Change Synaptic Density in the Brains of Patients With Schizophrenia

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study will examine changes in synaptic density with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the brains of patients with schizophrenia. Synaptic density levels will be measured using a novel positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer \[18F\]SDM-8, which is currently the best-in-class method to quantify synaptic density in humans. This will be a companion study to a parent study by our group examining the effects of tDCS on treatment adherence in schizophrenia (REB #103-2018).

Detailed description

The aim of our study is to examine if tDCS induces synaptic density changes in patients with schizophrenia using \[18F\]SDM-8. Our study will help elucidate the mechanism through which tDCS affects the brain. PET scans will be offered to participants that meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria at the initial screening visit. Participants will be scanned with the novel PET tracer \[18F\]SDM-8 to quantify synaptic density levels. PET scans will be timed to coincide to the two time-points, before and after 2-weeks of tDCS treatment that is completed under the parent study protocol (REB #103-2018). Clinical assessments will be done at the same time.

Conditions

• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	PET Scan	Participants will undergo two PET scans throughout the study.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-09-17
• Primary completion: 2026-03-31
• Completion: 2026-03-31
• First posted: 2022-06-28
• Last updated: 2025-09-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada