Transcranial ultrasound eased schizophrenia delusions in small trial

A pilot trial in 10 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder found that a 10-minute session of transcranial ultrasound stimulation targeting the right globus pallidus internus reduced delusion severity for at least a week versus placebo. Hallucinations and cognition showed no significant change; results appeared in npj Acoustics and need larger trials.

• 10 patients; 10-minute session; effect lasted at least a week
• Target was the right globus pallidus internus, deep below the cortex
• Side effects included fatigue and headache
• Hallucinations and cognitive scores did not change