A small, guided ultrasound treatment eased delusions in medicated schizophrenia patients after one session, according to New York University researchers.
Story Highlights
- NYU’s sham-controlled pilot found delusion scores fell after a single, targeted ultrasound session.
- Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging guidance to aim sound waves at a deep brain region tied to thought and emotion.
- Participants were already on medication but still had symptoms, underscoring the need for new tools.
- Early safety looked similar to sham, with only mild, short-lived side effects reported.
NYU Trial Reports Measurable Drop In Delusions After One Session
New York University Langone Health reported that a single 10-minute, focused ultrasound session lowered average delusion scores in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who still had symptoms despite medication. The sham session, where the device was placed but sound waves were blocked, showed an average increase in delusion scores. The difference between real and sham conditions held through one week of follow-up, according to the university’s summary of the pilot study results.
Researchers designed the study so every participant received both conditions on separate visits. This within-participant crossover approach helps control for individual differences. Investigators prespecified delusions as a key clinical domain and reported a 1.2-point decrease after active ultrasound compared with a 0.4-point increase after sham in session-linked changes. The pilot enrolled 10 adults and was registered under study number 22-00997 with clinical identifier NCT05643196.
Targeted Ultrasound Aimed At A Deep Brain Circuit
The team used magnetic resonance imaging to guide low-intensity sound waves to the right globus pallidus interna. That structure sits within circuits tied to movement, thought, and emotion. The approach seeks to modulate brain activity without surgery or implanted hardware. The method, called transcranial focused ultrasound, has drawn interest because it can reach deep regions with precision that other noninvasive methods often lack, while avoiding the risks of open procedures.
NYU’s report says the short-term safety profile looked favorable in this small sample. Side effects such as fatigue, headache, or brief symptom upticks appeared mild and short-lived. The frequency of these events did not differ between the active and sham sessions, suggesting the procedure was generally well tolerated. The study used a strict sham setup to mimic the experience while blocking energy delivery, a key step to judge true treatment effects.
Why This Matters For Families And Public Health
Millions of Americans shoulder the heavy burden of severe mental illness. Families often watch loved ones cycle through medications that bring only partial relief. This pilot focused on people who stayed symptomatic despite drug treatment. The reported change in delusions, even if modest, points to a potential add-on tool that could reduce distressing, harmful beliefs. The method does not replace medicine or therapy. It could, one day, add another option to a limited toolkit if larger trials confirm benefits.
Ultrasound to cure schizophrenia
Scientists are actively conducting experiments using focused ultrasound (a form of sound waves) to modulate brain circuits in people with schizophrenia, with promising but very preliminary results. This is not a proven cure; it is experimental…
— Gayle Forbess (@GayLou1953) October 22, 2026
Experts reviewing ultrasound for psychiatric care say the field shows promise but needs larger, longer, and well-controlled studies across conditions. A prior double-blind trial in 26 patients reported improvement in negative symptoms after 15 sessions targeting a different brain area, but reviewers still describe the overall clinical evidence as early and mixed. That makes NYU’s pilot an important signal, not a final answer. Replication and multi-site work will decide real-world value.
What Comes Next: Bigger Trials And Clearer Measures
Investigators and clinicians point to several next steps. A larger, randomized, sham-controlled, multi-site trial could test repeated sessions and track outcomes for months, not days. Researchers could publish full, participant-level data and analysis code to confirm statistical strength. Blinding checks could show whether people can tell active from sham sessions. Imaging studies could link symptom change to brain-circuit shifts, showing how and why the treatment works.
For now, the take-home is simple and grounded. NYU’s crossover pilot found that one session of magnetic-resonance-imaging-guided, focused ultrasound to the globus pallidus interna was tied to a short-term drop in delusions versus sham, with mild side effects and no safety gap between conditions. The result offers hope to families who need better tools. It also demands careful follow-up so excitement does not outpace proof, and so patients stay on doctor-guided care.
Sources:
nypost.com, nyulangone.org, cdn.clinicaltrials.gov, clinicaltrials.med.nyu.edu
