Mind over voices: brain training may quiet hallucinations
NCT ID NCT07779226
First seen Aug 21, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026
Summary
This trial tests whether a brain-training method called decoded neurofeedback, done during MRI scans, can help people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder reduce persistent auditory hallucinations—like hearing voices. Participants are randomly assigned to either the active training or a control version. The study measures how well the brain aligns with a desired pattern and uses a standard scale to track changes in hallucinations.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Decoded neurofeedback, a brain-training technique delivered during MRI scans that aims to help people reduce auditory hallucinations
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a new, non-drug way to help people with schizophrenia gain more control over persistent auditory hallucinations.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial with a modest number of participants, so results may not be conclusive or widely applicable. The training requires MRI scans and may not work for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 51 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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.
- Ages
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18 to 55 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: * Individuals aged 18 to 55, inclusive at screen * Capable of understanding the study procedures and willing and able to provide informed consent * Diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder * Taking an antipsychotic medication at a stable dose for at least 4 weeks. All oral and depot antipsychotics are allowable. * Mean Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (AHRS) score \>2 (moderate) and AHRS Frequency ≥ 4 (hourly AVH: Frequent at least 3 to 6 per hour). * Meeting the decoder performance criterion, operationalized as ≥ 55% decoding accuracy. Baseline MRI may be repeated once for subthreshold decoder-accuracy at the discretion of the PIs. * Normal hearing, operationalized as normal conversational hearing. * Willing to use qualified methods of contraception (listed in section 5.3) for the study duration (for persons of childbearing potential only, unless post-menopausal or surgically sterile). Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of moderate or severe substance use disorder (excluding nicotine) within the previous 90 days * Positive toxicology screen for any substances of abuse * Participation in study of investigational medication/device within the past 4 weeks * Pregnant persons. Persons of child-bearing potential must have a negative urine β-hCG pregnancy test at Visit 1 and Visit 1a (if applicable) * Any clinically significant or unstable medical illness, condition, or disorder that is anticipated to potentially compromise participant safety during study, including history of seizure, epilepsy in self or first degree relatives, stroke, brain surgery, head injury with loss of consciousness \> 1 hour or clear cognitive sequelae, intracranial metal implants, known structural brain lesions. * Contraindication to MRI scanning, including metal implants or clinically meaningful claustrophobia * Participants with suicidal ideation with intent or plan (indicated by affirmative answers to items 4 or 5 of the Suicidal Ideation section of the baseline C-SSRS) in the 3 months prior to screening or participants who represent a significant risk of suicide or violence in the opinion of the investigator. * History of significant violent behavior in the past 3 months, posing a risk of homicide or having symptoms that would be exacerbated by study participation or travel to the site in the opinion of the investigator.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Columbia University
New York, New York, 10027, United States
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