Real-time fMRI Neurofeedback as a Tool to Mitigate Auditory Hallucinations in Patients With Schizophrenia - R33 Phase
Boston VA Research Institute, Inc.
Summary
Neurofeedback intervention aimed to regulate the superior temporal gyrus (STG) activation and default mode network (DMN) connectivity as well as to reduce the auditory hallucinations (AH) schizophrenia patients with medication resistant AH.
Description
Here, the investigators propose that neurofeedback aimed to regulate the superior temporal gyrus (STG) activation will not only lead to activation changes in the STG, but also to changes in the default mode network (DMN), as well as to reductions in AH, and that the brain and clinical changes will be correlated. The theoretical framework for the current proposal is an AH model that assumes that AH result from abnormalities in a network of regions including STG, and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), the two latter regions are core medial hubs of DMN that are…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * patients diagnosed with SZ or schizoaffective disorder using DSM-5 criteria * auditory hallucinations not responsive to pharmacology as determined by chart review and a clinical interview of SCID. Exclusion Criteria: * neurologic illness * major head trauma * electroconvulsive therapy * alcohol or drug dependence * alcohol or drug abuse within the past five years * verbal IQ below 70
Interventions
- Otherstg-rt-fMRI-Neurofeeback
the patients will receive real-time feedback from the brain activity of the superior temporal gyrus
- Othersham-rt-fMRI-Neurofeedback
the patients will receive real-time feedback from the brain activity of the somato-motor cortex
Location
- Boston VA Healthcare System, BrocktonBrockton, Massachusetts