Recruiting · registry status

Understanding why people see things that are not there

Researchers are studying visual hallucinations in Lewy body diseases to understand the brain processes involved and inform future treatment research.

Learning by observing or collecting information · Study reference: NCT07849413

Plain-language introduction written with AI from the registry; not independently checked by a clinician. Read the original details below ↓

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Who can join?

Ages 18 years to 90 years · Also accepts healthy volunteers

These are starting points, not the full rules. The research team can tell you whether the study is right for your situation.

Read all the rules for taking part

Sex eligibility reported by registry: all

Inclusion Criteria: I) LBD Patients with or without visual hallucinations 1. 18 - 90 yrs 2. Fluent in English or Spanish 3. Score at least 24 out of 30 on the MoCA 4. Diagnosed with Lewy Body diseases, including Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body dementias (Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies) II) Age-matched controls (healthy volunteers) 1. 18 - 90 yrs 2. Fluent in English or Spanish 3. Score at least 26 out of 30 on the MoCA Exclusion Criteria: I) LBD Patients with or without visual hallucinations 1. History of traumatic brain injury or significant head trauma 2. History of significant neurologic disorders other than Lewy body diseases 3. Meets DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse or dependence 4. For MRI studies, any contraindication to MRI as determined by the MRI Safety Screening Form II) Age-matched controls (healthy volunteers) 1. History of traumatic brain injury or significant head trauma 2. History of significant neurologic disorders other than Lewy body diseases 3. Meets DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse or dependence 4. For MRI studies, any contraindication to MRI as determined by the MRI Safety Screening Form

Full study name & original research details

Official study title

Understanding Neural Mechanisms Underlying Visual Hallucinations in Lewy Body Diseases

Short title used by the registry

Visual Hallucinations in Lewy Body Diseases

Original description

The goal of this basic experimental study involving humans (BESH) protocol is to improve the understanding of neural mechanisms underlying visual hallucinations in Lewy Body diseases to inform future treatment developments.

Further description from the registry

Visual hallucinations are highly prevalent in Lewy Body Diseases (LBD), a prominent group of neurodegenerative disorders that includes Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Parkinson's disease, and Parkinson's disease dementia. Currently, scientists do not fully understand how the brain creates these false visual images. This lack of knowledge makes it difficult to develop effective treatments. This study aims to understand the neural mechanisms that give rise to these hallucinatory experiences. The study will include three groups of volunteers: 1. LBD patients who experience visual hallucinations 2. LBD patients who do not have visual hallucinations 3. age-matched volunteers without a significant neurological history During the study, participants will undergo safe, non-invasive brain imaging scans. While being scanned, they will either rest or complete visual computer tasks. The results of this study will help map the brain networks responsible for visual hallucinations. These insights will help researchers develop better, targeted interventions for this disabling symptom.

Conditions reported: Lewy Body Disease; Lewy Body Dementia; Parkinson Disease; Parkinson Disease Dementia; Visual Hallucinations

Study type: Observational
Interventions: Behavioral Tasks; MRI/MEG Scans
Phases: Not reported
Sponsor: NYU Langone Health
Start date reported by registry: 2026-09-15 (actual)

Registry updated: 2026-09-30 · Status last verified by the registry submitter: 2026-09

Registry records retrieved 2026-10-11 (UTC). Individual records may have older updates. Recruitment and eligibility must be confirmed with the study team.

Contact the research team

Public study contacts supplied to the registry. Ask whether recruitment is still open and what participation involves.

Yuan-hao Wu · 212.263.0307 · Yuanhao.Wu@nyulangone.org

Nalini Jeet · 212-263-0228 · Nalini.Jeet@nyulangone.org

Study locations

Site status can differ from overall study status. “Status not reported” means local availability needs confirmation. Remote participation and travel arrangements must be checked with the team.

NYU Langone Health

New York, New York, United States

Recruiting

The original descriptions and participation rules come from the registry. Participation is voluntary and does not guarantee benefit.