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Confirmatory Trial of Gamma Neurofeedback to Improve Working Memory in Schizophrenia
Confirmatory Efficacy Trial to Confirm the Effects of Gamma EEG-Neurofeedback on Working Memory in Schizophrenia
Who can join
Ages 18 to 55 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 1\. DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) 2. Age 18-55 years 3. Clinically stable: no psychiatric hospitalization in the 3 months prior to enrollment 4. No change in antipsychotic medication type or dosage within 4 weeks prior to baseline assessment 5. Ascertained to be clinically and medically stable by a study investigator 6. Does not meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder or current major depressive episode 7. No electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) within 6 months of baseline assessment 8. Able to read and speak English (corrected vision or hearing aids acceptable) 9. Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * 1\. Self-reported history of seizure disorder 2. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 3. History of stroke or major vascular disease, including insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 4. HIV/AIDS diagnosis 5. Current (not past) major depressive episode 6. Substance use disorder other than nicotine use disorder or caffeine use disorder in the past year 7. Brain cancer (primary or metastatic) 8. Prior head injury involving loss of consciousness 9. Inability to read or speak English 10. Color blindness that interferes with administration of study assessments 11. Neuropsychological or cognitive testing in the past 6 months using the same measures as this study 12. Score on Letter-Number Sequencing greater than 1 standard deviation above the age-normed mean
About the study
This study is a confirmatory, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) testing whether gamma EEG neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) improves working memory in adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either active gamma EEG-NFB (real-time feedback of frontal gamma brain activity) or sham EEG-NFB (false pre-recorded feedback), twice weekly for 12 weeks. Working memory (N-back task), brain gamma coherence, and everyday community functioning are assessed at baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment, and follow-up.
What is being tested
- EEG Neurofeedback (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of California, San Diego · Participants: 104 · Started: Nov 5, 2026
Contact the study team
- Autumn Harris Study Coordinator · Phone: 858-267-2257
- Jason Holden Lab Manager, PhD · Phone: 858-267-2257
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07592169
Locations in the U.S.
| California | UC San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.