Neurofeedback Treatment Using Real-time fMRI to Reduce Auditory Hallucinations in Adults With Schizophrenia

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a neurofeedback intervention designed to regulate brain activity in the superior temporal gyrus STG and connectivity in the default mode network DMN to reduce auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia who do not respond to medication. The study explores how controlling STG activation might lead to changes in brain networks related to self-processing and reduce symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, negative symptoms, and working memory issues. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive real-time feedback from the STG during five neurofeedback sessions, while the other group will receive sham feedback from the motor cortex in identical sessions. Functional MRI tasks will assess brain responses before and after the interventions to compare effects between the real and sham neurofeedback groups. Throughout the study, participants will undergo clinical and neuropsychological evaluations to measure changes in brain activity, connectivity, and symptoms. The primary outcome is the percent change in STG brain signal after the intervention. Secondary measurements include changes in psychotic symptoms and connectivity between brain regions. The study lasts about 0 to 4 weeks post intervention, with careful monitoring of symptom changes and brain function.

Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback in Patients With Schizophrenia and Auditory Hallucinations