Understanding how brain activity affects self-agency in schizophrenia

Causal Role of Medial Prefrontal Neural Activity in Self-Agency in Schizophrenia (Admin Suppl)

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-10990258

This study is looking at how people with schizophrenia feel in control of their thoughts and actions, and it aims to understand the brain processes behind any difficulties they have with this feeling, so that new treatments can be developed to help improve their sense of agency and reduce symptoms.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10990258 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how patients with schizophrenia experience self-agency, which is the feeling of being in control of one's own thoughts and actions. It aims to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms behind deficits in self-agency that contribute to psychotic symptoms. By using advanced techniques like magnetoencephalography (MEG), the study will explore how the medial prefrontal cortex influences the ability to predict outcomes of self-generated actions. The goal is to develop new treatment strategies that can improve self-agency and reduce symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who experience significant challenges related to self-agency and reality monitoring.

Not a fit: Patients with schizophrenia who are currently stable on medication and do not experience self-agency deficits may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve the quality of life for patients with schizophrenia by enhancing their sense of self-agency.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that understanding the neural mechanisms of self-agency can lead to advancements in treatment, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.