Focused Ultrasound Therapy for Schizophrenia
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are taking antipsychotic medication, you must keep the dose the same for at least 4 weeks before starting the trial. If you are not on antipsychotic medication, you should not start any until the study is over, which is about 2 weeks.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Focused Ultrasound Therapy for Schizophrenia?
Research on similar treatments like repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) guided by MRI has shown promise in treating auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia, suggesting that imaging-guided therapies can be effective. However, the specific effectiveness of Focused Ultrasound Therapy for schizophrenia is not directly supported by the provided studies.12345
How is the treatment PLIFUS different from other treatments for schizophrenia?
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests PLIFUS, a sound wave technique, on people with schizophrenia who have ongoing hallucinations or delusions. The goal is to see if targeting a specific brain area can improve their symptoms.
Research Team
Donald Goff, MD
Principal Investigator
NYU Langone Health
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who have been experiencing continuous mild or greater hallucinations or delusions for at least 4 weeks. Participants must be stable on their current antipsychotic medication dose, if any, for the past month, and females of childbearing potential must use reliable birth control. People with significant medical conditions, metal implants incompatible with MRI, substance abuse issues (excluding nicotine and THC), major mood disorders other than schizophrenia spectrum disorders, recent suicidal ideation or attempts are excluded.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive one session of PLIFUS and one session of sham PLIFUS in random order, one week apart
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in functional connectivity and psychotic symptoms
Treatment Details
Interventions
- MRI
- PLIFUS
- Sham PLIFUS
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
NYU Langone Health
Lead Sponsor
Max G. Schlapp Mental Hygiene Fund (New York Community Trust)
Collaborator
Tech4Health
Collaborator
The New York Community Trust
Collaborator
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Collaborator