Research Centre: Westmead Institute for Medical Research
Location: 176, Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, Sydney, 2145
Lead Researchers: Prof Tom Whitford and Prof Anthony Harris
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee

Have you ever been interested in how complex the human brain is? Here’s your chance to be at the forefront of research aimed at understanding auditory hallucinations (hearing voices). By contributing your time and experiences, you’re not just aiding scientific discovery—you’re actively participating in creating a future where the way we understand, treat, and support mental health is improved.

Join researchers from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research as they work towards finding better solutions in mental health care. Help researchers unlock new understandings of psychosis as well for those who experience hearing voices.

• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those who experience auditory hallucinations in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance mental health research.
• Reimbursements will be offered for time, travel, and lunch.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.

• Aged 18-65 years
• Have a diagnosis Borderline Personality Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or another mental health diagnosis that is not schizophrenia and have experienced hearing voices within the past 6 months
• Must not have had any electrical convulsive therapy within the past 6 months
• Must not have had a head injury of more than 10 minutes and/or needed to go to the Emergency Department for more than 4 hours
• Must be able to read, write, and understand English
• Must not have been diagnosed with any neurological disease i.e. epilepsy, dementia
• Must not have a medical condition that might interfere with assessment i.e. hearing impairment
• Must be able to attend one study visit at the research site

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Participants will be asked to provide consent. The study team will explain the consent form, and the study and answer questions.
• Participants will then take part in a clinical interview.
• Participants will be asked questions about their symptoms, medication, past treatment, and physical health. This interview will take approximately 2 – 2.5 hours. Participants will be asked to fill in some questionnaires about how they have been feeling and what they have been doing recently.
• Finally, participants will complete an electroencephalograph (EEG) which will take approximately 1-1.5 hours.
• As an optional component, participants will potentially participate in a combined MRI scan and an EEG test. This section will be conducted on a separate day.
  • The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test is a non-invasive medical procedure that scans the head and examines the brain’s structure and function. The procedure will involve lying on a scanner table which will slide into the MRI cylinder.Participants will be instructed to lay completely still during the scan, and a radiographer and researcher will communicate via intercom.
  • An EEG cap will be set up on the participant’s head, prior to entering the MRI scanner, and the EEG will be collected simultaneously with the MRI data collection. During the scan, participants will be asked to complete a 20-minute task and then watch a movie. A buzzer will be provided should participants want to communicate. The MRI test will take approximately 1 hour to complete.

Westmead Institute for Medical Research
The Westmead Institute for Medical Research is a leading Australian medical research institute delivering groundbreaking discoveries to better diagnose, treat, cure, and prevent some of the most serious health issues affecting Australians and people throughout the world.

Researchers at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research are world leaders in their fields. With close connections to Westmead Hospital and the wider health system, researchers at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research have an in-depth understanding of patient needs. This drives the research – inspiring a passion for discovery and seeing findings translated into clinical practice.