Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Using Tdcs of the Third (of Many) Visual Pathways

This study investigates the ability of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the motion processing area of the brain (area MT) to improve face emotion recognition (FER) ability. tDCS is a type of non-invasive brain stimulation in which low level currents are applied over the scalp to influence underlying brain function. In schizophrenia, impaired ability to detect facial motion has been shown to contribute to impaired FER, which, in turn, leads to difficulties in social cognition and poor social outcome. The study will use both fMRI and EEG to measure brain function while participants view moving dot and dynamic face stimuli. Analyses will compare changes in fMRI and EEG activity in individuals receiving active vs. sham stimulation.

NCT Number	NCT07469384
Lead Sponsor	Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research Collaborators: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Columbia University, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.
Conditions	SCHIZOPHRENIA 1 (Disorder), Schizo Affective Disorder
Enrollment	120 participants
Start Date	2026-02-01
Primary Completion	2030-04 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-07 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-13