Neurofeedback with FMRI for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Real time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback as a treatment for auditory hallucinations: A proof of concept study
IRAS ID
178018
Contact name
Sukhi Shergill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The current study will pilot a new treatment for treatment refractory auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia will learn to self-regulate their own brain activation using Neurofeedback with functional magnetic resonance imaging technique (NF-fMRI) in a playful way, while playing a computer game that is connected to their brain activity. This method has been shown to be successful in schizophrenia for volitional control in emotion regulation. This novel treatment if successful will benefit those 30% of cases in schizophrenia who do not respond or respond incompletely to antipsychotic treatment. Very promising effects with this technique has been obtained in other psychiatric and neurological conditions such as depression and epilepsy.
Based on this we expect that this research will lead to the development of first estimates of the feasibility of a novel neuroimaging –based side-effect free treatment for treatment refractory auditory hallucination based on learning to self-control of brain function.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1007
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion