Gamma Light and Sound Stimulation in Schizophrenia

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.

NCT Number	NCT07342465
Lead Sponsor	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Collaborators: Mclean Hospital
Conditions	Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Enrollment	20 participants
Start Date	2026-04
Primary Completion	2027-04 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-04 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-26