TMS Enhancement of Visual Plasticity in Schizophrenia

Learning and memory impairments are commonly observed in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Alterations in "long-term potentiation" (LTP), a basic mechanism underlying learning and memory, may explain this impairment. This project will assess fMRI visual plasticity, thought to reflect LTP, in participants with and without schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Previous studies have shown that visual plasticity is impaired in schizophrenia. The major goal is to determine if Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) enhances visual plasticity in schizophrenia. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) provides a non-invasive means for altering brain electrical neural activity. TMS sessions (sham/placebo and real TMS) will be conducted before two MRI scans with two weeks in-between to assess whether TMS stimulation to the visual cortex will enhance visual plasticity in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. This project may provide a better understanding of the underlying neurobiological mechanisms responsible for learning and memory deficits in schizophrenia.