# Enhancing Gamma Band Response in Schizophrenia to Improve Working Memory

> **NIH NIH R33** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2023 · $307,578

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic debilitating mental disorder that affects 2.4 million Americans and
leads to considerable individual and societal costs. In patients with SCZ, cognitive deficits (CD) occur early in
the course of the illness, are associated with more severe illness, and are the best predictor of functional
outcomes. Nonetheless, to date, CD have been difficult to treat using available treatments. Recent studies
suggest CD in patients with SCZ may arise from abnormal synchronization of distributed neural networks.
Synchronization or synchronous firing of neurons, binds cortical areas into functional networks in a task and
state-dependent manner. Thus novel therapies that improve abnormal neural synchrony may improve
previously refractory symptoms arising from disordered brain networks.
 Neural synchrony or coherence in the gamma band (GBR, 30-45Hz) plays a central role in top-down
attention, multisensory processing, perceptual binding and working memory (WM). Patients with SCZ exhibit
abnormal GBR, and the magnitude of impairment is associated with the severity of cognitive disorganization.
Given these results, improving GBR should improve CD, including WM in SCZ. This hypothesis has been
tested and confirmed using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Additionally, EEG-based
neurofeedback (NFB) is hypothesized to improve GBR and cognitive function in patients with SCZ. NFB is a
low-cost, easily administered and well-tolerated treatment. In healthy controls, Gamma-NFB improves GBR
and cognitive function including WM. Thus, we propose testing the feasibility and effectiveness of improving
GBR using gamma-NFB in patients with SCZ using the framework of the R61/R33 mechanism.
 The first trial (R61) is a proof-of-concept study designed to assess target engagement and dose
response curve. Twenty-four SCZ patients will receive G-NFB training for 12 weeks (2 weekly sessions of
30minute duration) and be assessed for 1) evidence of training, 2) Change in GBR, 3) Change in WM and 4)
Change in community functioning. The second trial (R33) aims to confirm target engagement based on training
parameters obtained from R61, and to assess whether G-NFB is superior to an active-placebo neurofeedback
intervention in improving GBR, WM and community functioning.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10793826
- **Project number:** 3R33MH112793-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Fiza Singh
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $307,578
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10793826

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10793826, Enhancing Gamma Band Response in Schizophrenia to Improve Working Memory (3R33MH112793-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10793826. Licensed CC0.

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