Sound Location Testing in Young People with a First Psychotic Episode
Tests how people with a first psychotic episode locate sounds in space using virtual reality.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Auditory Localization in Schizophrenia
Key facts
- Where
- Bron, FranceSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 35 years old?
Source: NCT06974513, who can take part
Where in France
- Centre Hospitalier Le VinatierBron, FranceNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Hôpital le Vinatier
- Trial code
- NCT06974513
- Record updated
- 16 May 2025
- Original description
Auditory sound localization is the ability to identify the position of a sound source in space. It is defined into 3 dimensions: by its position in azimuth, elevation and distance. If it is difficult to localize a sound source, it is possible to remove the localization ambiguity by interacting with the environment, in particular by changing one's position in relation to the source (e.g. by changing the orientation of the head).Read full original descriptionShow less
Auditory Localization in Virtual Reality in Patients With a First Episode of Psychosis
Auditory sound localization is the ability to identify the position of a sound source in space. It is defined into 3 dimensions: by its position in azimuth, elevation and distance. If it is difficult to localize a sound source, it is possible to remove the localization ambiguity by interacting with the environment, in particular by changing one's position in relation to the source (e.g. by changing the orientation of the head).
Patients with schizophrenia have difficulties to localize and discriminate sounds in space but it is still poorly explored.
Additionally, deficits in auditory localization could underlie difficulties in source-monitoring (i.e., distinguish the source/origin of the information) reported in schizophrenia or deficits in auditory externalization (i.e., perception of sound outside the head).
Furthermore, schizophrenia is characterized by cerebral abnormalities in the auditory cortex, manifesting as auditory processing disorders at different stages of the pathology. Auditory localization may therefore be impaired from the onset of a first psychotic episode (FEP). This early phase of the disease is also referred to as the "critical" period, as the chances of remission are highest and the response to treatment is best. However, the three-dimensional aspect of auditory perception and the behavioral exploration strategies used to localize a sound in the early stages of schizophrenia are still little studied.
Inclusion: Informed of the study and having signed the consent form; With normal vision (with or without correction); Able to understand the experimental instructions; Affiliated to the social security system; French language spoken, read and written.
Exclusion: Patients with a DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder or brief psychotic disorder; Early intervention for first psychotic episodes.