Ultrasound Pulses Show Promise in Reducing Schizophrenia Delusions
NYU Langone Health study indicates a brief, non-invasive ultrasound treatment may significantly decrease false beliefs in patients with persistent symptoms.
A novel treatment using focused ultrasound waves to target a deep brain region has demonstrated potential in reducing delusions among individuals with schizophrenia, according to a study by NYU Langone Health. The experimental technique, known as transcranial ultrasound stimulation, involves a single, 10-minute session and may offer a medication-free option for patients whose symptoms persist despite psychiatric drug treatment.
The study, published Oct. 20 in the journal npj Acoustics, involved 10 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers directed focused ultrasound waves into the globus pallidus interna, a brain region involved in regulating movement, thinking, and emotions. This area is typically difficult to access without invasive procedures.
Following the 10-minute ultrasound treatment, participants showed a notable average decrease of 1.2 points on a 7-point clinical scale measuring delusions, which are false beliefs held with conviction despite evidence to the contrary. In contrast, a control group that received a sham treatment experienced no change in their delusion scores.
"Our results offer early evidence that a single session of transcranial ultrasound stimulation can safely ‘tune’ a brain circuit linked to psychosis and lead to a noticeable drop in delusions," said lead researcher Wei Qi, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
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Side effects reported were mild and temporary, including headaches, fatigue, and short-lived increases in psychotic symptoms. These findings suggest that transcranial ultrasound stimulation could be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for schizophrenia.
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Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder affecting how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Delusions are a hallmark symptom, alongside hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and diminished emotional expression. Current treatments often involve a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy, but a significant portion of patients do not achieve full symptom remission.