Brain Stimulation therapies
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transdirect current stimulation (tDCS), vagus nerve stimulation, and deep brain stimulation have been evaluated for treating negative symptoms. A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of brain stimulation with sham interventions in patients with schizophrenia found that TMS and tDCS that targeted the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex effectively reduced the severity of negative symptoms.3
The Table1-3 summarizes available treatments for negative symptoms of schizophrenia and their efficacies. Although research investigating the improvement of negative symptoms is currently insufficient, CBT-related therapies and antidepressants appear to be helpful. For more information, see “Treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia” (Current Psychiatry, December 2018, p. 19-22, 50).
