The primary objectives of this study are to examine the tolerability of pulsed low-intensity focused ultrasound (PLIFUS) and its effects on brain function measured via fMRI functional connectivity and symptom response in individuals with schizophrenia. A neuronavigated single-element piezoelectric device will be utilized to noninvasively deliver transcranial PLIFUS sonication to the right globus pallidus interna, a brain region implicated in schizophrenia. The goal of this pilot study is to establish feasibility and tolerability and to determine whether the sonication procedure produces effects on the imaging biomarker and on symptoms prior to proceeding to therapeutic trials using repeated administration.
This is a single-site, phase 2, sham-controlled random-order cross-over pilot trial of PLIFUS targeting the right GPi in individuals with schizophrenia. Twelve individuals with schizophrenia who report continuous hallucinations or delusions of mild or greater severity will receive one session of PLIFUS and one session of sham PLIFUS in random order, one week apart. If no effect of PLIFUS is detected on measures of functional connectivity or psychotic symptoms in the first four completers, the trial will be changed to 3 sessions of PLIFUS or sham administered over 5 days.