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OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT04783571

Effects of Auditory Stimulation on Sleep and Memory in Schizophrenia

The investigators will test the hypothesis that auditory stimulation (playing quiet sounds during sleep) can normalize brain activity during sleep and improve memory in patients with schizophrenia. The investigators will do this by measuring sleep and memory performance under two conditions separated by one week: receiving auditory stimulation during sleep and not receiving auditory stimulation during sleep. The investigators will study healthy subjects and outpatients with schizophrenia.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Schizophrenia Mental Disorders Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

For healthy controls:

  • Male and female subjects
  • 18-50 years of age
  • Proficient in English

For schizophrenia patients:

  • Male and female schizophrenia outpatients
  • 18-50 years of age
  • Proficient in English
  • Able to give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant females
  • Current use of psychotropic medications (healthy controls only)
  • A history of head injury resulting in prolonged loss of consciousness or other neurological sequelae
  • IQ <85
  • Neurological disorder (including seizure disorder)
  • Significant hearing or vision loss
  • Current substance abuse or dependence (nicotine abuse or dependence is not exclusionary)
  • Any unstable chronic medical condition that affects sleep
  • Diagnosed sleep disorder

Treatment and study plan

Placebo

Other

Auditory stimulation will not be delivered during the nap

Auditory Stimulation

Other

Auditory stimulation will be delivered during the nap

Primary outcomes

  1. Differences in slow-oscillation spindle coupling

    Time frame: Placebo and auditory stimulation naps will be approximately one week apart

    Differences in slow oscillation-spindle coupling during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep as measured by EEG between placebo and auditory stimulation naps

Secondary outcomes

  1. Differences in sleep-dependent consolidation of motor procedural memory

    Time frame: Placebo and auditory stimulation naps will be approximately one week apart

    Differences in sleep-dependent improvement of motor procedural memory performance on the finger tapping motor sequence task (MST) between placebo and auditory stimulation naps. The MST involves pressing four numerically labeled keys on a standard keypad, repeating a 5 digit sequence as quickly and accurately as possible for 12 trials at 30 seconds each separated by 30 sec rest periods. Different sequences are employed for the placebo and stimulation visits in a counter-balanced order.

  2. Differences in slow oscillations

    Time frame: Placebo and auditory stimulation naps will be approximately one week apart

    Differences in slow oscillations during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep as measured by EEG between placebo and auditory stimulation naps

  3. Differences in sleep spindles

    Time frame: Placebo and auditory stimulation naps will be approximately one week apart

    Differences in sleep spindles during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep as measured by EEG between placebo and auditory stimulation naps

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Mar 5, 2021
Registry last updated
May 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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