Cerebellum-to-cortex circuit behind hearing voices
Empirical validation of a cerebellar-cortical hallucination circuit
Researchers are checking whether a brain circuit linking the cerebellum, thalamus, and cortex causes people with schizophrenia to hear voices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258489 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would take part in brain imaging sessions that try to capture activity while someone is experiencing hearing voices, using MRI and advanced analysis to map which regions turn on together. The team will look for a connected circuit spanning the cerebellum, thalamus, and cortex that consistently appears when hallucinations occur. Results will be compared across people with schizophrenia who have frequent auditory hallucinations to see if the same circuit explains symptoms. The goal is to create clear targets that could be used in future treatments like targeted brain stimulation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience frequent auditory hallucinations and who can safely undergo MRI scanning are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not experience auditory hallucinations, those with other primary psychiatric diagnoses, or anyone who cannot have an MRI (for example due to metal implants or severe claustrophobia) are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to specific brain targets for neuromodulation therapies to reduce or stop hearing voices.
How similar studies have performed: Previous 'symptom capture' imaging has found brain regions active during hallucinations, but linking those activations into a single therapeutically useful circuit remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Belmont, United States
- Mclean Hospital — Belmont, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Halko, Mark a — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Halko, Mark a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.