Low-intensity focused ultrasound targeting striatal circuits in schizophrenia: feasibility, safety, and effects on hallucinations and striatal-temporal functional connectivity

Brain stimulation 2026 Open access

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Authors: Karuna Subramaniam, Grace Attalla, Miriam Mathew, John L Alvarez, Ehsan Dadgar-Kiani, Rajiv Mahadevan, Srikantan Nagarajan, Keith R. Murphy
DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2026.103084
Cited by: 3
References: 9

Abstract

Auditory hallucinations are among the most disabling symptoms in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and frequently persist despite antipsychotic treatment. Converging imaging and neurochemical evidence implicates striatal subregions, particularly the nucleus accumbens and caudate, and their abnormally elevated functional coupling with superior temporal cortex (STC) in hallucination pathophysiology1–5. However, causal tests of striatal circuit involvement have been limited because these deep targets are not accessible with conventional noninvasive neuromodulation.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ultrasound and Hyperthermia Applications Ultrasound and Cavitation Phenomena Vagus Nerve Stimulation Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Brain stimulation
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
19
Issue
3
Pages
103084–103084
Publication date
21 March 2026
Language
EN