Gamma Light and Sound Stimulation in Schizophrenia

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Status: Begins enrollment in 2 months

Conditions: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

Treatments: Device: GENUS; Device: Sham Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07342465

2505001650

Aging brain initiative (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder impacting over 20 million people globally, causing significant personal and societal burdens, particularly due to cognitive deficits and negative symptoms inadequately treated by current therapies. To address this gap, investigators propose using Gamma Entrainment Using Sensory Stimulation (GENUS), a novel, home-based treatment involving synchronized 40 Hz light-and-sound stimulation aimed at improving neural synchrony, cognition, and SZ symptoms. This innovative approach leverages advanced neurostimulation, biological, and neuroimaging methods to directly target gamma dysfunction, fulfilling an urgent need for effective and accessible at-home therapies.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the safety and feasibility of gamma stimulation using light and sound. It will also learn if gamma stimulation using light and sound works to treat clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Is gamma stimulation safe for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders?
2. Does gamma stimulation alleviate clinical symptoms and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia patients?

Participants will:

1. Have an acute 1-hour stimulation at MIT.
2. Come for a one-day visit to MIT for stimulation, neuroimaging, clinical, and cognitive evaluations.

Full description

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects about half a percent of people worldwide. It can cause hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thoughts, reduced motivation, and problems with memory and concentration. While current medications can help with hallucinations and delusions, they are often less effective for improving thinking skills and motivation-two areas that strongly affect a person's daily life.

Scientists have found that people with schizophrenia often show changes in how their brain cells communicate and synchronize their activity. In particular, a type of brain rhythm called gamma oscillation-which normally helps with attention, memory, and perception-does not function properly. These rhythmic signals depend on a healthy balance between brain cells that excite and those that inhibit activity. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to cognitive and emotional difficulties.

Our study focuses on a new non-invasive approach called Gamma Entrainment Using Sensory Stimulation (GENUS). GENUS uses light and sound flickering at 40 Hz (forty times per second) to gently stimulate the brain and restore its natural rhythmic patterns. Earlier studies have shown that this type of stimulation is safe, well-tolerated, and can improve brain activity and memory in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Because both Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia involve similar problems with gamma rhythms, GENUS may also help improve brain function and symptoms in people with schizophrenia. This study will test whether 40 Hz light and sound stimulation is safe, feasible, and beneficial for individuals living with schizophrenia. Investigators aim to understand whether this type of sensory stimulation can enhance brain activity and support improvements in thinking and daily functioning

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Between 18-65 years of age.
2. A diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
3. No medication is an absolute exclusion. Medications will be reviewed by the responsible MD and a decision about inclusion will be made based on the following: the patient's past medical history, drug dose, history of recent medication changes or duration of treatment, and combination with other CNS (central nervous system) active drugs.
4. The subject is willing to sign the informed consent document.
5. If the subject is deemed not to have the capacity to sign the informed consent, he/she will need a legally authorized representative to provide surrogate consent.

Exclusion criteria

1. Subjects who do not have healthcare

2. MRI contraindications such as the presence of pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments, or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body.

3. High myopia < -7 diopters, or untreated cataracts that affect vision.

4. Clinical conditions:

   1. History of seizure or medical diagnosis of epilepsy.
   2. ECT history > 6 months
   3. Female subjects who are pregnant or currently breastfeeding.
   4. Longstanding premorbid history (i.e., longer than 10 years) of alcohol or substance abuse with continuous abuse up to and including the time that the symptoms leading to clinical presentation developed.
   5. Significant neurological or medical disorders that may produce cognitive impairment.
   6. Profound hearing or visual impairment.
   7. Eye surgery in the last 3 months or are scheduled to have eye surgery in the next 3 months (during the study)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Gamma Stimulation

Active Comparator group

Description:

40 Hz light and sound using GENUS device

Treatment:

Device: GENUS

Sham Stimulation

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham light and sound

Treatment:

Device: Sham Stimulation