Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Individuals With Schizophrenia

Participants enrolled into this study may be asked to do the following:

Grant permission for the researchers to view medical records associated with their
language/cognitive difficulties

Complete a questionnaire, provide a health history, and take some pencil-and-paper tests of
problem-solving and memory in order to verify eligibility to participate and to able to
safely undergo the experimental procedures.

Complete several tasks (e.g., saying words out loud, naming objects, drawing designs,
remembering lists of words, searching for images or letters, and/or completing puzzles)
based upon a number of cognitive functions such as language, memory, vision, processing, and
perception.

Wear electrodes that will be placed on the scalp with a large rubberized band. These
electrodes will administer very weak electrical current (tDCS) from a 9 volt battery for 20
to 60 minutes.

Participation in several study conditions. The exact conditions and their order will be
randomized. Under some conditions, participants may receive active stimulation (tDCS) and
under other conditions, they may receive sham stimulation.

The experimental sessions will last approximately 2 hours and participants may be asked to
have more than one testing session in a day or to return for additional sessions.

Have a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scan.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

- English as a native language

Exclusion Criteria:

- appreciable deficits in hearing or vision

- appreciable accent

- any implanted metal device or pacemaker

- Dementia or Mini Mental Exam below 24

- History of Seizures