Scientists reviewed hundreds of clinical trials testing new treatments to help people with schizophrenia think more clearly. Many people with schizophrenia struggle with memory, attention, and processing information—problems that current medications don’t always fix. Researchers looked at 510 different studies testing drugs, brain stimulation devices, and supplements. While they found some promising results with certain medications and brain stimulation techniques, most treatments didn’t work as well as hoped. The good news is that scientists are getting closer to finding better solutions for this overlooked problem.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can new medications, brain stimulation devices, or supplements help people with schizophrenia think more clearly and remember better?
  • Who participated: This review analyzed 510 clinical trials conducted mostly in the United States. The trials included people with schizophrenia who were tested on their thinking, memory, and attention skills.
  • Key finding: Only 17% of the trials showed that the treatment actually improved thinking and memory. Some medications like sarcosine and BI425809, plus brain stimulation techniques, showed promise in smaller studies, but these results didn’t hold up when tested on larger groups of people.
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know has schizophrenia, there may be new treatment options coming, but they’re not yet proven to work reliably. Talk to your doctor about what’s available now and what might be coming soon. Don’t stop current treatments without medical guidance.

The Research Details

Researchers searched two major databases of clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization’s registry) to find all studies testing treatments for cognitive problems in schizophrenia. They looked for studies that actually measured thinking and memory improvements using objective tests—not just what patients reported feeling. They found 510 studies that fit their criteria and analyzed what types of treatments were being tested and how many showed positive results.

Most of the trials (88%) were randomized, meaning participants were randomly assigned to either get the new treatment or a placebo (fake treatment). This is considered the gold standard for testing whether something actually works. The researchers looked at three main types of treatments: medications (56% of trials), brain stimulation devices (33%), and dietary supplements (10%).

The review covered studies conducted through August 2024, with updates through July 2025, giving a comprehensive picture of the most recent research efforts in this area.

This approach is important because it shows the big picture of what scientists have tried and what’s actually working. Instead of looking at just one study, reviewing many studies helps us understand whether promising results are real or just lucky accidents. It also highlights which areas need more research and which approaches might be dead ends.

This is a comprehensive review that looked at hundreds of studies, which is a strength. However, the review itself didn’t conduct new experiments—it analyzed existing research. The fact that only 17% of trials showed positive results suggests that many treatments that seemed promising in theory didn’t work in practice. The researchers noted that even when small studies showed promise, larger studies often couldn’t repeat those results, which is a red flag that the original findings might not be reliable.

What the Results Show

Out of 510 clinical trials reviewed, only 17% reported positive results for improving thinking and memory in people with schizophrenia. This means 83% of treatments tested didn’t show clear benefits. The most studied drug category was glutamate modulators (a type of brain chemical regulator), with 63 trials. Some medications in this category—sarcosine, BI425809 (also called Iclepertin), d-serine, d-cycloserine, and minocycline—showed promise in smaller studies. However, when these same treatments were tested on larger groups of people, the positive results didn’t hold up.

Another group of medications called nicotinic receptor modulators (including ABT-126 and encenicline) also showed some cognitive benefits in certain trials. Brain stimulation devices, particularly repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), showed improvements in overall thinking ability, working memory (your mental scratch pad), attention, and how fast people process information in some trials.

The research shows that most trials focused on treatment rather than prevention (79% versus 21%). The majority of trials were conducted in the United States (36.4%), suggesting this is a major research focus in American medicine. Despite the large number of studies, the lack of consistent, replicated results suggests that finding an effective treatment for cognitive problems in schizophrenia remains a significant challenge.

The review found that device-based interventions showed more consistent promise than medications in some cases. Brain stimulation techniques improved multiple areas of thinking—not just one specific skill. The research also revealed that dietary supplements made up only 10% of trials, suggesting less scientific focus on this approach. The fact that 88% of trials used randomized designs (the best way to test treatments) shows that researchers are using rigorous methods, but even with good methodology, most treatments still didn’t work.

This review confirms what previous research has suggested: current schizophrenia medications are good at treating hallucinations and delusions but don’t adequately address thinking and memory problems. The review shows that despite decades of research and hundreds of trials, scientists still haven’t found a reliable medication to fix these cognitive issues. Some treatments that showed early promise (like certain glutamate modulators) have been studied for years but haven’t led to approved medications, suggesting that initial positive results don’t always translate to real-world effectiveness.

The biggest limitation is that this review only looked at what other studies found—it didn’t conduct new research itself. The review also couldn’t fully explain why small studies often showed positive results that larger studies couldn’t repeat. This pattern suggests that small studies might have had biased results or gotten lucky findings by chance. Additionally, the review couldn’t assess the quality of all 510 studies equally, so some may have been better designed than others. Finally, because only 17% of trials showed positive results, it’s hard to draw strong conclusions about what actually works—most treatments simply didn’t demonstrate clear benefits.

The Bottom Line

If you have schizophrenia and struggle with thinking and memory problems, continue taking your current medications as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t stop or change medications on your own. Ask your doctor about whether you might be eligible for clinical trials testing new treatments—this could give you access to cutting-edge therapies while helping advance research. Consider asking about brain stimulation techniques like rTMS, which showed some promise in this review. Keep realistic expectations: while new treatments are being developed, there’s no proven cure for cognitive problems in schizophrenia yet. Work with your healthcare team to manage symptoms and maintain cognitive health through activities like mental exercises, physical activity, and good sleep.

This research is most relevant to people with schizophrenia who experience thinking and memory problems, their families, and their doctors. It’s also important for researchers and pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments. People with other conditions should not assume these findings apply to them, as schizophrenia’s cognitive problems are specific to this illness. If you’re considering a new treatment for schizophrenia, discuss this review’s findings with your psychiatrist to understand what options might be worth trying.

If new treatments do become available, it typically takes months to years to notice meaningful improvements in thinking and memory. Brain stimulation techniques might show benefits within weeks to months of regular treatment. Don’t expect overnight changes—cognitive improvements in schizophrenia are usually gradual. Continue current treatments while exploring new options, as stopping proven medications could worsen symptoms.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Use the app to track specific cognitive tasks weekly: record scores on memory games, attention exercises, or processing speed challenges. Compare your scores month-to-month to see if any new treatment is helping. Also track mood and symptom severity, as these can affect thinking ability.
  • If your doctor suggests trying a new cognitive treatment, use the app to set reminders for taking new medications or attending brain stimulation appointments. Log how you feel after each session and note any changes in memory, focus, or mental clarity. Share these logs with your doctor to help evaluate whether the treatment is working.
  • Create a monthly cognitive health dashboard in the app that combines objective test scores (if available), subjective reports of memory and attention, medication adherence, and appointment attendance. Track patterns over 3-6 months to see if treatments are making a real difference. This long-term data helps you and your doctor make informed decisions about continuing or changing treatments.

This review summarizes research findings but is not medical advice. Cognitive problems in schizophrenia are serious and require professional medical care. Do not start, stop, or change any schizophrenia medications without consulting your psychiatrist or doctor. If you’re interested in new treatments or clinical trials, discuss them with your healthcare provider to determine if they’re appropriate for your specific situation. Some treatments mentioned are still experimental and not yet approved by the FDA. This information is current as of the review date but medical knowledge evolves; ask your doctor about the latest treatment options available to you.