New brain-stimulation approach for treating hearing voices
Alternative Stimulation Mode and Location for Auditory Hallucination Neuromodulation Treatment
This project uses a new kind of non-invasive brain stimulation to help people with schizophrenia who continue to hear voices despite medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181609 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to join if you have a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder with persistent auditory hallucinations. Participants are randomized to receive either active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or a sham (placebo) version, with daily treatment visits up to 20 sessions plus a two-week maintenance phase. fMRI brain scans are collected at baseline and after 10 and 20 sessions to see whether the new stimulation sites and modes engage the targeted brain circuits. The work begins as a two-year R61 pilot with go/no-go milestones that would allow expansion to a larger R33 phase if met.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder who have persistent, treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations and can attend frequent visits in Houston are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without auditory hallucinations, children, or those whose voice-hearing already responds well to current treatments are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could decrease the frequency or intensity of hearing voices in people whose hallucinations do not respond to antipsychotic medications.
How similar studies have performed: Prior rTMS trials for auditory hallucinations have shown promising but inconsistent results, and this study applies a novel stimulation site and mode based on brain-circuit ideas.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hong, L Elliot Elliot — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Hong, L Elliot Elliot
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.