Clinical Trial: Symptom Based Treatment Affects Brain Plasticity - the Role of Verbal Auditory Hallucinations

Study Status: Not yet recruiting
Recruit Status: Not yet recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title:

Brief Summary: The aim of the study is the examination of brain plasticity on verbal auditory hallucinations (AVH) after neuromodulation with fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) neurofeedback. During the training of fMRI neurofeedback subjects are trained to regulate consciously the connectivity of areas which are associated with hallucinations.The aim is to improve perceived hallucinations' intensity in everyday life of the patients as well as investigating the impact of neurofeedback on resting-state networks in the brain. As control groups, control subjects without AVH and participants with AVH, but no psychiatric diagnosis will be included.

Detailed Summary:

This study investigates the brain plasticity after neuromodulation with fMRI neurofeedback on verbal auditory hallucinations (AVH). The new technique of real-time fMRI enables subjects to influence their brain activity in certain areas based on neurofeedback. Current brain activity as measured by fMRI will be reported to the participants in real time via brain computer interface (BCI). Due to the identification of contingency between feedback and mental strategies subjects are able to control their own brain activity consciously. This provides the opportunity to control symptoms such as AVH. Neurofeedback has been tested on subjects with schizophrenia, leading to conscious control of circumscribed brain areas. Recent studies show that, in addition to the modulation of single areas, neurofeedback can also modulate connectivity between different areas. Thus, it is possible to regulate not only single brain regions but also whole networks.

AVH are a key symptom of schizophrenia. They limit social functions significantly and are resistant to the therapy with antipsychotics in 25 % of cases. AVH also occur in 6-15 % of the healthy population, without meeting any diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorders. This study will perform a direct, not-invasive and selective modulation of networks underlying AVH and assess their neural, cognitive and emotional effects. The focus of this study is on the connectivity between auditory cortex and inferior frontal cortex. Various studies demonstrated that the auditory cortex exhibits an abnormal function in schizophrenia patients. It was shown that during AVH, auditory cortex (superior temporal lobe) and inferior frontal cortex synchronize spontaneously. These regions play an essential role in speech perception and processing. An increased synchronisation of these areas could lead to the development of AVH. This stu
Sponsor: RWTH Aachen University

Current Primary Outcome: change in self-control over neuronal connectivity [ Time Frame: 1 week ]

fMRI-BCI as a measure before and after the regulation of the brain activity


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Changes from baseline in brain plasticity [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
    fMRI as a measure for brain plasticity before and after neurofeedback
  • Change in pathology (AVH) [ Time Frame: 1 week after interventions ]
    Auditory Vocal Hallucinations Rating Scale (AVHRS) as a measure of the intensity and quality of the hallucinations before and after the fMRI and after 1 week during a telephone interview
  • number of patients and subjects with benefits from neurofeedback training [ Time Frame: 2 weeks ]
  • change in brain activation [ Time Frame: 1 week after interventions ]
    fMRI as a measure before and after the following resting state
  • Change in pathology (mood) [ Time Frame: 1 week after interventions ]
    Positive And Negative Affect Scales (PANAS) as a measure of mood before and after the fMRI and after 1 week during a telephone interview
  • Change in perceived quality of life [ Time Frame: 1 week after interventions ]
    SF36 questionnaire as a measure of the quality of life before and after the fMRI and after 1 week during a telephone interview


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: RWTH Aachen University

Dates:
Date Received: March 10, 2016
Date Started: April 2016
Date Completion: March 2020
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Last Verified: November 2015