Experimental sound-wave therapy could help patients whose schizophrenia resists medication

Experimental sound-wave therapy could help patients whose schizophrenia resists medication

An experimental 10-minute ultrasound treatment reduced delusions in a small study of patients with schizophrenia, offering hope for a non-surgical approach to managing symptoms that persist despite medication.

An experimental treatment that uses focused sound waves to target a deep region of the brain could help reduce delusions in people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, according to early research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

The treatment uses sound waves to influence brain activity without surgery, offering a potential new approach for patients whose symptoms persist despite medication.

The findings suggest that the technique could help address some symptoms of psychosis, although researchers say larger studies are needed to establish its effectiveness and safety.

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder can cause hallucinations, such as hearing or seeing things that are not there, and delusions, in which a person holds strong beliefs that are not based on reality.

The study involved 10 people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who continued to experience symptoms despite receiving treatment.

Researchers tested a technique known as transcranial ultrasound stimulation, which uses focused sound waves to influence activity in specific brain cells.

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Unlike procedures that require surgery to reach deep areas of the brain, the technique directs sound waves through the skull to target particular regions.

The findings showed that a single 10-minute session resulted in a modest reduction in delusions. Participants' scores on a clinical scale used to measure the severity of delusions fell by an average of 1.2 points after receiving the active treatment.

By comparison, their scores increased by an average of 0.4 points after a sham session, during which the equipment was switched on but the sound waves were prevented from reaching the brain.

Researchers found that the difference in delusion scores remained evident for up to seven days, when the observation period ended. However, the small number of participants means further research is needed to establish how reliable and lasting the effects may be.

The treatment targeted a deep brain region called the globus pallidus interna, which forms part of a network involved in controlling movement, thoughts and emotions.

Previous research has linked problems in this brain circuit to delusions, suggesting that they may help explain why some patients respond differently to medication.

To guide the procedure, researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to identify the target region before delivering ultrasound waves in 30-second intervals over a 10-minute session.

Each participant received both the active treatment and a sham session, with the sessions conducted one week apart in random order. Neither the participants nor the team members assessing their symptoms knew which session involved the actual treatment.

Researchers assessed participants for changes in delusions, hallucinations, thinking, memory and possible side effects. These included fatigue, headaches and brief increases in psychotic symptoms.

All reported side effects were mild and short-lived, with no significant differences between the active and sham sessions.

The findings suggest that focused ultrasound could offer a new way to influence brain activity associated with psychosis without requiring an operation.

Researchers described the results as early evidence that a single session could affect a brain circuit linked to psychosis and produce a measurable reduction in delusions.

“Focused ultrasound offers an opportunity to target very small areas of the brain involved in thinking and behaviour,” the researchers noted, highlighting its potential to reach regions that are difficult to access using other non-invasive techniques.

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that can affect how a person thinks, perceives reality, experiences emotions and interacts with others.

Treatment often includes antipsychotic medication, psychological support and rehabilitation. However, some people continue to experience symptoms even while taking medication, highlighting the need for additional treatment options.

Schizoaffective disorder shares some symptoms with schizophrenia but also involves significant mood symptoms, such as depression or periods of mania.

Researchers have also explored focused ultrasound stimulation as a potential treatment for other conditions, including depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Its ability to influence specific brain regions has raised interest in whether the technique could eventually help treat a wider range of neurological and mental health conditions.

Despite the encouraging findings, the study's small size limits the conclusions that can be drawn. Ten participants are not enough to determine whether the treatment would work for a wider population or identify uncommon side effects.

The study also examined only one treatment session, leaving questions about the safety and effectiveness of repeated sessions unanswered.

Further research will involve more participants and examine whether repeated treatments could produce longer-lasting improvements.

Researchers also plan to use advanced brain imaging to tailor the treatment to individual patients and confirm that the sound waves reach the intended region.

“Further studies are needed to determine whether targeted ultrasound could eventually complement existing medication or provide another option for people whose symptoms remain difficult to control,” the researchers said.

Larger studies are needed before the technique can be recommended for routine clinical use.

Schizophrenia affects an estimated 27 million people worldwide, or about one in every 300 people, according to the World Health Organisation.

The condition can affect a person's thinking, perception of reality, emotions and behaviour, and often requires long-term treatment and support.