Reducing auditory verbal hallucinations by means of fNIRS neurofeedback – A case study with a paranoid schizophrenic patient

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are a core symptom of schizophrenias and are associated with increased activation in speech-relevant regions (e.g. Allen et al., 2012). As AVHs can be resistant to antipsychotic medications (25 –30% of patients) (Shergill et al., 1998), alternative intervention methods are needed. Neurofeedback (NF) constitutes an alternative approach, as it can modulate excitation levels and altered brain activity in the long-term (Butnik, 2005; Sterman, 1996). In a curative trial aimed at symptom reduc tion, we conducted a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-based NF training of posterior superior temporal gyrus (STG) regulation.

Source: Schizophrenia Research - September 27, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Helena Storchak, Justin Hudak, Florian B. Haeussinger, David Rosenbaum, Andreas J. Fallgatter, Ann-Christine Ehlis Source Type: research