How Low-Frequency rTMS Is Reducing Hallucinations and Improving Brain Function in Schizophrenia

At Goodwin Health Café, we’re always keeping an eye on emerging research in interventional psychiatry. One exciting area of study is the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)—a non-invasive brain stimulation technique—for patients living with schizophrenia, particularly those experiencing auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). A new 2025 study has shed light on how low-frequency rTMS may help ease these symptoms by directly influencing brain signal complexity.

Understanding Brain Entropy and Schizophrenia

To grasp the importance of this study, it helps to first understand a key term: brain entropy. In simple terms, entropy is a measure of complexity and unpredictability in the brain’s electrical signals. Higher entropy can indicate a less organized, more chaotic brain state—something that is often observed in individuals with psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia.

In people who experience AVH (hearing voices that aren't there), certain brain networks—especially those involved in language processing and self-monitoring—may become overly active or disorganized. Researchers believe that stabilizing or recalibrating this neural activity could lead to symptom relief.

The Study: Targeting the Temporoparietal Junction

In this study, scientists applied low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS to the left temporoparietal junction—a brain region closely associated with language processing and auditory hallucinations. Participants included schizophrenia patients who regularly experienced AVH, and their brain activity was compared both before and after the rTMS sessions, as well as against healthy individuals.

The researchers used resting-state fMRI scans to measure something called sample entropy—a specific way of calculating brain signal irregularity. This approach allowed them to quantify how “chaotic” the brain’s activity was in various regions.

Key Findings: Less Chaos, Better Outcomes

Before treatment, patients with schizophrenia displayed unusually high brain entropy in several key areas, including the prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes—regions associated with decision-making, memory, and language. These heightened levels of entropy are believed to reflect the disorganized neural activity that contributes to hallucinations and cognitive dysfunction.

After undergoing low-frequency rTMS sessions, patients reported a significant reduction in auditory hallucinations and other positive symptoms. But perhaps more fascinating was what happened inside the brain: researchers observed a noticeable decrease in entropy in previously hyperactive areas. In particular, the default mode network and language network—both of which were initially overactive—showed signs of stabilization.

These changes weren’t just visible on brain scans. Patients also experienced improvements in neurocognitive domains, including verbal and visual memory. In other words, as the brain’s chaotic signals became more regulated, people felt and functioned better.

Why This Matters for Mental Health Care

This research offers powerful insights into how brain stimulation therapies like rTMS can go beyond treating surface-level symptoms. By directly influencing brain network behavior, low-frequency rTMS may actually help "reset" dysfunctional patterns of activity that underlie hallucinations and cognitive challenges.

For clinicians and patients alike, this opens up new pathways for treating schizophrenia—not with medication alone, but through targeted, non-invasive interventions. It also reinforces the potential of personalized brain modulation therapies tailored to specific neural patterns and symptom profiles.

Looking Ahead

While more studies are needed to understand the long-term effects and optimize treatment protocols, this research marks a major step forward. The use of brain entropy as a biomarker could even help clinicians predict who is most likely to benefit from rTMS or monitor treatment progress in real time.

At Goodwin Health Café, we remain committed to providing evidence-based care grounded in science and innovation. Treatments like TMS are already transforming the lives of individuals living with depression, OCD, and PTSD—and now, they may offer hope to those managing complex conditions like schizophrenia.

If you or someone you love is exploring options for mental health care, we invite you to reach out to our team to learn more about interventional treatments, including TMS therapy. You’re not alone—and the future of mental health care is getting brighter.

For more insights into cutting-edge mental health treatments and holistic wellness approaches, stay connected with Goodwin Health Café.