Trial begins on focused ultrasound for schizophrenia hallucinations

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco have launched a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial using focused ultrasound to reduce auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia, Medical Xpress reported on November 2, 2026. The trial is led by Karuna Subramaniam, a professor of psychiatry at the university. [1]

According to Medical Xpress, auditory hallucinations affect more than 70 percent of people who have schizophrenia. Even when taking antipsychotic medications, approximately 40 percent of patients continue to experience persistent hallucinations, creating an urgent need for new therapeutic options. [1]

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking or behavior, and flat or inappropriate affect. Diagnosis relies on observed behavior, psychiatric history, and reports from individuals familiar with the patient, as there is no objective diagnostic test. [2]

Symptoms of schizophrenia typically develop gradually and begin during young adulthood. Official diagnosis requires symptoms to be present for at least six months, or at least one month for specific core features. Many individuals with schizophrenia also experience co-occurring conditions, including mood, anxiety, substance use, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. [2]