Scientists build a computer model of the brain to explain hearing voices

NCT ID NCT07820553

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Registered, but not yet taking participants.
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Cancelled before anyone took part.

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First seen Sep 15, 2026 · Last updated Sep 16, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Researchers at King's College London are studying what happens in the brain when people hear voices or sounds others cannot hear, known as auditory hallucinations. The study compares people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or related psychotic conditions to people without these conditions. Participants undergo EEG and MRI brain scans while completing hearing-related tasks. The team uses those scans to build a computer model of the balance between brain signals that excite and calm activity, with the goal of understanding psychosis better and guiding future treatments.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If the model works, it could help explain why some people hear voices and point drug developers toward new targets for psychosis treatment.
What could go wrong
This is an observational brain-imaging study, not a treatment trial, so it will not cure or relieve hallucinations. The model may fail to capture the biology, and results in this group may not apply to everyone with psychosis.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

About 146 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Aug 2030

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

PWLEP: people with auditory perceptual alterations able to get to the study site in London. Controls: people without psychosis or auditory perceptual alterations able to get to the study site in London.

Ages

16 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: PWLEP: 1. Age 16-65 years. 2. A score of at least 3 on the state section of the Auditory Perceptual Trait and State scale (APTS). 3. If using an antipsychotic drug, participants must be on a stable dose of any medication during the baseline measures. 4. Sufficient understanding of the nature of the study and any hazards of participating in it, or suitable consultee who can understand this and provide an opinion of what the participant's wishes would be if the participant does not have capacity, if appropriate to do so. 5. Ability to communicate satisfactorily with the investigator and to participate in, and comply with the requirements of, the entire study. 6. Capacity to give written consent to participate after reading the information and consent form and after having the opportunity to discuss the study with the investigators or their delegates, or suitable consultee who can understand this and provide an opinion of what the participant's wishes would be if the participant does not have capacity, if appropriate to do so. Healthy controls: 1. Age 16-65 years. 2. Sufficient understanding of the nature of the study and any hazards of participating in it, or suitable consultee who can understand this and provide an opinion of what the participant's wishes would be if the participant does not have capacity, if appropriate to do so. 3. Ability to communicate satisfactorily with the investigator and to participate in, and comply with the requirements of, the entire study. 4. Capacity to give written consent to participate after reading the information and consent form and after having the opportunity to discuss the study with the investigators or their delegates, or suitable consultee who can understand this and provide an opinion of what the participant's wishes would be if the participant does not have capacity, if appropriate to do so. Exclusion Criteria: PWLEP: 1. Clinically relevant abnormal history, or laboratory values at the pre-study screening assessment or participation in other research studies that could interfere with the objectives of the study or the safety of the participant, as deemed significant for a study researcher. 2. Impaired endocrine, cardiac, pulmonary, thyroid, haematological, hepatic, respiratory, neurological, immunological or renal function, or other major disease (e.g. cancer) deemed clinically significant at the time of the study. 3. Recent history (i.e. in the last 12 months) of epilepsy or seizures. 4. Homicidal ideation or intent, as judged by a researcher; suicidal ideation, with some intent to act, or suicidal behaviour, as judged by a researcher. 5. History of drug or alcohol dependence (except for caffeine and nicotine and mild/moderate cannabis dependence) in the 3 months before study start. 6. Likelihood that the participant will not comply with the requirements of the protocol. 7. Contraindication to MRI, EEG or other study procedures (for example history of metal implants or metal pieces entering the body that cannot be removed safely, severe claustrophobia, allergy or skin sensitivity to EEG electrode gel). 8. Any other condition or disability that would make participation in the study procedures not possible (for example severe vision or hearing impairment). Healthy controls: As above, and also: 1\. No relevant family history of schizophrenia and psychosis (as judged relevant by a study researcher).

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

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