Article Information

Nathália Janovik^1,2, Victor Hugo Cordova^2,3,*, Cintya Ogliari², Michel Mroginski⁴, Lenise Franceschoni^2,3, Paulo Belmonte-de-Abreu^,4

¹Post graduate program in Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
(UFRGS)-Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil

²Schizophrenia and Dementia Program (PRODESQ)- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre(HCPA)- Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil

³School of Pharmacy-UFRGS

⁴School of Medicine-UFRGS

^*Corresponding Author: Victor Hugo Cordova, Vicente da Fontoura nº 1679, ap 203, Porto Alegre-RS, Brazil

Received: 12 May 2020; Accepted: 19 May 2020; Published: 26 July 2020

Citation: Nathália Janovik, Victor Hugo Cordova, Cintya Ogliari, Michel Mroginski, Lenise Franceschoni, Paulo Belmonte-de-Abreua. Treatment of Residual Psychotic Symptons in Ultra-Refractory Schizophrenia after 10 Sessions of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tdcs). Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Disorders 4 (2020): 144-157.

Abstract

Article Details

A recent meta-analysis based on functional neuroimaging studies showed that, during the occurrence of Auditory Hallucinations (AH), patients with schizophrenia exhibit a significant overactivation of the left parieto-temporal cortex (middle and upper temporal and Wernicke's area), left lower frontal cortex (Drill front area, operculum, anterior insula, precentral gyrus), as well as their rights counterparts [1].

In recent years, it have been developed different noninvasive techniques of brain stimulation (NIBS), like Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), that promotes the partial antagonism of N-metyl-D-aspartate (NMDAr) in symptomatic ultra-refractory schizophrenia (URS) patients. The other point of this approache is the possibility of inducing lasting changes in cerebral excitability, as weel as the possibility of modulation of cortical connectivity and brain plasticity [2, 3].This findings indicate that the different neuromodulation techniques can be potential diagnostic tools and therapeutic research of cortical plasticity in the mental illness [4].

Thus, based on the observations of frontotemporal dysconnectivity system in AH, we hypothesized that by modulating the abnormal activity of brain areas involved in the pathophysiology of these symptoms with NIBS, such as tDCS, it would be possible to minimizing their impacts on this mental health problem [5].

More recently, tDCS was appraised as a new approach neurostimulation to reduce AH resistant to conventional treatment. The tDCS protocol predicts the arrangement of the cathode placed on left temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) and the anode on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortical (DLPFC), which was effective in reducing AH in patients with schizophrenia in numerous studies [6-14], in two clinical experiments [15, 16] and in a randomized clinical trial involving 30 patients [17]. In most of these studies, tDCS sessions were conducted twice daily for five consecutive days (10 sessions).

This article briefly holds the theoretical rational, the practice development, the analysis and the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated the tDCS efficacy in patients with URS, with detailed emphasis over auditory hallucinations and its specific characteristics.

2. Study Design

This is a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

2.1 Sample

Considering the need for a placebo group and estimating a possible loss of 10% of patients during the follow-up period, the initial sample size was calculated for a study power of 80% and indicated the selection of 48 schizophrenic outpatient from Porto Alegre Clinical Hospital (PRODESQ/HCPA), where the study was also submitted for evaluation by its Ethics Committee, with subsequent approval to be a source of allocation of patients. Patients in the sample were randomized to be included in the active group or sham group (placebo).

2.1.1 Inclusion criteria:

1. Age between 18 and 59 years;
2. schizophrenia diagnosis confirmed by OPCRIT (Operational Criteria Checklist for Psychotic Illness and Affective Illness);
3. Auditory hallucinations and residual negative symptoms;
4. Active use of clozapine, maintaining the same dose for, at least, six weeks before starting of the stimulation protocol.

2.1.2 Exclusion criteria:

1. Active neurological disease and no regular treatment;
2. Alcoholic or toxic psychosis;
3. Contraindications to tDCS: brain metallic clip, cardiac pacemaker, skin lesion at the site of electrode placement;
4. History of drug abuse (minimum withdrawal time required was two years);
5. Changing dose(s) of medication(s) during the stimulation protocol;
6. Refusal to follow the study.

2.2 Diagnostic and clinical evaluation

The identification, diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia and the application of OPCRIT, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-Anchored version (BPRS-A) and Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) were performed by the same psychiatrist with training and clinical experience in schizophrenia. Before the stimulation protocol, a clinical and diagnostic confirmation interview by applying the OPCRIT, and also a clinical evaluation, through the BPRS-A and AHRS focused on the measurement of auditory hallucinations and negative symptoms, were performed. The BPRS-A and AHRS scales have been repeated in the last day of neurostimulation protocol, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the last procedure. Randomization was accomplished by the site http://www.random.org, diagnostic and clinical assessments were evaluated by a single interviewer. Primary outcomes included: (1) general psychopathology score measured by BPRS-A; (2) negative scores (sum of subitems 3, 9, 13 and 16 in BPRS-A); (3) positive scores (sum of subitems 4, 8, 11, 12 and 15 of the BPRS-A); (4) total scores of auditory hallucinations measured by the AHRS.

2.3 tDCS technique

The application of neurostimulation protocol was performed by four academics of Medicine School of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, previously trained for three months by the main investigator of this study. The placebo stimulation was made by placing the electrodes in the same locations cited for active stimulation, but after 30 seconds, the stimulator was turned off by the protocol applicator. Neither the patients nor the scales applicator have been known which group the patients belonged to (active or sham).

The stimulation protocol parameters are summarized below:

• Anode placed on the left DLPFC and cathode located on the left TPJ marked in a cap used in neuromodulation using 10-20 EEG method;
• Intensity of electric current: 2 mA (milli-amps);
• Duration of each session: 20 minutes;
• Number of sessions: two sessions per day, separated by one hour, for five consecutive days (Monday to Friday).

2.4 Statistical analysis

The quantitative variables were described as mean and standard deviation, and categorical variables were identified by absolute and relative frequencies. In mean comparison between groups, Student's t-test was used. In proportions comparison, the Chi-square test was applied. Regarding the comparison of BDNF levels and scores of BPRS-A and AHRS scales, over time, it was applied the model of generalized estimating equations (GEE), and the Least Significance Difference test (LSD). For variables with normal distribution, the linear model was applied. As for the variables with asymmetric distribution, the gamma model was used. Associations between BDNF levels and BPRS-A scores were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. To control confounding factors, Poisson regression models (reduction of, at least, 30% in the BPRS-A scale scores) or Linear (variation in the AHRS scale scores) were applied. The criterion for entering the variable in the multivariate model was that it should have a p <0.20 in the bivariate analysis, except for the variable “group” (active or placebo), which was maintained in both models, as it is the main variable in this study. To avoid a multicollinearity effect, the disease duration was maintained in the models, instead of the patient's age. In addition, when using the BMI in the multivariate model, the current dose of clozapine was inserted, regardless of the p-value of the multivariate, since it is known that one of the main adverse effects of this psychotropic is weight gain. The level of significance adopted was 5%, and the analyzes were performed using the SPSS program - version 21.0.

3. Results

The primary outcomes was the change in psychopathology in total score of BPRS-A and AHRS scales throughout the study period comprising the time interval measured at four different times: 1) before starting the stimulation protocol; 2) the last day of the stimulation protocol; 3) four weeks after the end of the stimulation protocol; and 4) twelve weeks after it.

Table 1 shows the characteristics of the sample according to the study group. Of all the variables used, the results were adjusted for education level, disease duration and number of hospitalizations during clinical history. Ages have been excluded to avoid multicollinearity effect with disease duration. We observed that patients in the active group had significantly fewer hospitalizations in life when compared to the placebo group. And yet, the active group tended to be younger, to have lower education levels and less sick time, when compared with the placebo group, nevertheless without statistical significance. The other characteristics have been similar between groups.

ES: elementary school; HS: high school; BMI: body mass index

Table 1: Sample description of stabilized patients with URS in ambulatory treatment, using clozapine and submitted to tDCS for 5 consecutive days.

Table 2 shows the bivariate analysis of the clinical improvement (minimum 30% reduction in BPRS-A scale). The group receiving active stimulation had a 13.2 greater clinical improvement when compared to the placebo group. The number of hospitalizations was inversely associated with clinical improvement of symptoms, and hospitalization in the last year reduces the improvement in 23%.

BMI: body mass index

Table 2: Association with clinical response mesuread by BPRS-A from 12^th week to baseline of 33 URS stabilized outpatient, using clozapine and submitted to tDCS for 5 consecutive days.

After adjusting the multivariate model (Table 3), only active group remained statistically associated with clinical improvement, regardless of civil status, number of hospitalizations, reduction in scale of AHRS hallucinations, current dose of clozapine and duration of illness. Patients in the active group have an adjusted probability 10.4 times greater of a reduction of at least 30% on the BPRS-A scale, when compared to the placebo group, over the 12-week follow-up. Variables such as marital status, number of hospitalizations and reduction in AHRS scores remained borderline after adjustment, with a tendency for clinical improvement for patients with a partner, with fewer hospitalizations and a greater reduction in the hallucination scale.

Table 3: Multivariate Poisson Regression analysis to evaluate independent factors associated to 30% reduction in BPRS-A scale in sample of 33 outpatients with stabilized URS, using clozapine and submitted to tDCS for 5 consecutive days.

According to Table 4, in the bivariate analysis, the active group showed a significantly greater reduction in the total AHRS score, when compared to placebo (p = 0.001). As expected, the significant reduction in some of the sub-items of AHRS (frequency, influence and distress) was significantly associated with the reduction in the total score, demonstrating a similar strength of association between them. Moreover, the higher the baseline BMI, the greater the reduction in the total score of hallucinations. After adjustment by multivariate model, only the group remained as a variable significantly associated with reduced total score of AHRS, with the active group reducing, on average, 4.7 points higher than the placebo group (Table 5).

Table 4: Association with clinical response mesuread by AHRS from 12^th week to baseline of 33 URS stabilized outpatient, using clozapine and submitted to tDCS for 5 consecutive days.

Table 5: Multivariate Linear Regression analysis to evaluate factors associate to variation of AHRS total scores from 12th week to baseline, in sample of 33 outpatients with stabilized URS, using clozapine and submitted to tDCS for 5 consecutive days.

Finally, we observed no significant adverse effects on the population studied. The patients in the active and placebo reported, respectively, headache immediately after stimulation - 9 (27%) vs. 3 (9%) -, tingling - 23 (67%) vs. 10 (30%) -, itching - 14 ( 42%) vs. 2 (6%) -, burning sensation below the electrodes - 12 (36%) vs. 2 (6%), - daytime sedation in a patient who belonged to the active group (3%), which was not reported for the placebo group.

4. Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first randomized placebo-controlled trial conducted in our country, which is intended to examine the therapeutic effects of cathodic temporoparietal tDCS on AH in a population diagnosed with URS. The pilot study proposed by Brunelin et al [18] demonstrated therapeutic effects in AH and in negative symptoms using anodic tDCS on the left DLPFC to increase cortical excitability, based in the idea that negative and depressive symptoms [19, 20] would be associated to the frontal hypoactivation. Moreover, it has been suggested that, both hyperactivity left TPJ, and the impaired prefrontal inhibition, can result in a dysfunctional frontotemporal connectivity, and this mechanism is related to the pathophysiology of auditory hallucinations in ultra-refractory schizophrenia [18]. This justifies the stimulation protocol chosen for the present study, with the anode (stimulator) placed on the left DLPFC and the cathode (inhibitory) on the left TPJ.

Regarding the overall clinical improvement measured by the BPRS-A, we observed a robust and statistically significant clinical response rate, in the active group compared to placebo, during the 12th week follow-up, even when this factor was controlled for other potential confounding factors in the multivariate analysis. This result can be explained in part by the tDCS long-term effects associated with the neuroplasticity, phenomena that promotes modulation of neuronal synapses, increasing the sensitivity of postsynaptic receptors and inducing late cortical reorganization. Besides that, according to some studies, the clinical response after long-term tDCS is associated with greater efficacy in the activation of NMDA receptors, GABAergic activity and modulation of interneurons [20, 21].

As mentioned before, the stimulation protocol was chosen based in the improvement of auditory hallucinations in ultra-refractory schizophrenic patients, although other clinical parameters measured by BPRS-A could also been secondarily optimized. Thus, our study was also able to demonstrate that the positive effect of tDCS on improvement of global clinical sample studied was made by the reduction of the scores of the positive field of BPRS-A, including a decrease of auditory hallucinations. This finding agrees with some recent published studies [22-24].

In addition, our study is also the first in the country to investigate the severity characteristics of auditory hallucinations, measured by AHRS, most associated with this clinical improvement. They were the frequency of the AH, the influence of AH in the behavior of individuals and the anguish perception felt by them. Some studies were unable to reproduce these effects, even using the same stimulation protocols indicated in our study and having a similar sample as the inclusion criteria [25-27]. We understand that this outcomes highlights the present results, especially since, according to the multivariate analysis presented in this research, the only factor that remained associated as a predictor of auditory hallucinations response for an extended period of time (12 weeks) was precisely belonging to the active stimulation group, when controlled for other factors. It is important to identify other possible factors involved when it is observed improvement of auditory hallucinations.

Our study found that men had a lower reduction in scores measured by the AHRS, which can be explained by the already known worse premorbid functioning, with more prominent negative symptoms and worse recovery after acute episodes in males, and their negative impact on the response to therapeutic interventions [23, 24].

Our study also found an inverse association between reduction of AHRS scores and baseline BMI of individuals, but this association was not maintained in the multivariate analysis. Although we found no data in the literature in this regard, we believe that the impact of baseline BMI on the improvement of hallucinations is an indirect effect, and as a potential confounding factor to the use of clozapine, which is known, has weight gain as one of the most common adverse effect. Thus, it is possible to hypothesize that the greater reduction in scores of AHRS occurred in stable patients with higher doses of clozapine and, therefore, with higher baseline BMI indexes.

A recent study [25] assessed the influence of the type of antipsychotic drug in the effects of tDCS in individuals with schizophrenia, finding a significant effect on the improvement of auditory hallucinations, particularly among individuals using low affinity dopamine receptors antipsychotics, in combination or not, with other antipsychotic drugs. Although our sample had been taken use of clozapine, with or without combination with other antipsychotics, the association of this factor as a clinical predictor of response was not statistically significant in the bivariate analysis; however, it was maintained in multivariate analysis because figure out to be a confounding factor to BMI in the statistic model.

According to our study, the reduction in severity of AH in ultra-refractory schizophrenic patients occurs by reducing the perception of distress and minimizing the influence of AH in their behavior. Again, our results agree with what has been published in the most recent scientific literature. In the theory of interhemispheric imbalance in schizophrenia, insight deficits are believed to result from abnormal activity of left dominant cerebral hemisphere [26]. The theory has gained the support of recent functional imaging researches that attributes impaired insight to aberrant functional connectivity in neural networks [27] and suggests various regions of the left hemisphere representing putative targets for noninvasive treatment of neuromodulation to enhance insight into schizophrenia [28].  In addition, evidence suggests that poor self-perception of symptoms as part of the disease is associated with anatomical damage to the prefrontal cortex [29], as well as to greater activations of this region of the brain, whitch may be part of a compensatory mechanism of prefrontal brain impairment [30]. Findings corroborated by other authors [31-33]. We could intuitively imagine that the positive effects on the perception of anguish and behavioral influences result from anodic tDCS acting on the left prefrontal cortex, increasing endogenous effort to compensate for prefrontal activation impairment. More recent research has provided additional evidence for tDCS's ability to modify the connectivity of the white substance [34] and frontotemporal tDCS to increase functional connectivity in the resting state between the left TPJ and left DLPFC in patients with schizophrenia [35].

5. Conclusion

To date, this study has novelty to specifically evaluate the efficacy of tDCS anode on the left DLPFC and the cathode on the left TPJ in patients with compensated outpatient URS for 12 weeks. However, we understand that, in the case of such a serious and complex disease, influenced by multiple factors, some important limitations must be considered.

Our study applied conventional tDCS which stimulates cortical areas by means of large silicon electrodes covered by a cloth envelope humidified with saline solution. The method of identifying brain sites to be stimulated, based on the International 10-20 EEG System, has relatively low spatial location accuracy. A growing number of research suggests the use of high definition tDCS whose identification of cortical areas to be stimulated is made by specific software systems and neuronavigation devices, individualizing and optimizing tDSC protocols [35]. The lack of results and/or no significant association between some of our outcomes may also be influenced by the low accuracy location method used in this study.

Although the demographics characteristic of the sample of patients in each group are similar, we must consider that most of them, regardless of the group to which they belonged to, had a wide range of symptoms profiles, ie, a complex mixture of delusions, speech disorganized behavior and negative symptoms, depression and AH, demonstrating serious and complex neuroprogression disease. At this context, since the protocol established in this study was directed specifically to evaluate auditory hallucinations in URS, their potential therapeutic effect may be obscured by the presence of multiple severe and chronic symptoms.

The long follow-up time for the studied population, associated with the absence of new stimulation sessions, and with the need for repeated blood collections, also constituted a limiting scenario, making it particularly difficult to increase the sample size beyond the 33 participants and compromising part of the statistical power of the study.

We believe that these considerations could safely confirm the notion that tDCS protocols directed to refractory samples should be optimized, possibly using higher electrical current doses for a longer period and relying on a long-term maintenance treatment after acute phase treatment. As future perspectives, URS should be considered as a heterogeneous mental disorder, composed of a challenging phenotypic diversity. Therefore, in addition to refining the technical development of tDCS, we consider that one of the main focuses of subsequent studies should be the measurement of different groups of symptoms using the Hi-Top of RDC methodology, to identify markers of response to treatment, respecting different clinical and neurobiological dimensions of schizophrenia.

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