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"Seeing voices": fused visual/auditory verbal hallucinations reported by three persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder.

Authors :
Hoffman RE
Varanko M
Source :
Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica [Acta Psychiatr Scand] 2006 Oct; Vol. 114 (4), pp. 290-2; discussion 292.
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

Objective: The neurocognitive basis of verbal/auditory hallucinations remains uncertain. A leading hypothesis is that these hallucinations correspond to ordinary inner speech mislabeled as non-self. However, some studies suggest pathogenic activation of receptive language neurocircuitry as the cause. A form of visualized verbal hallucinations not previously reported in the literature is described that may shed light on this controversy.<br />Method: Review of three cases.<br />Results: Two patients described visual hallucinations of speech-like lip and mouth movements fused with simultaneous auditory verbal hallucinations superimposed on perceptions of faces of actual persons in their immediate environment. A third patient described similar experiences incorporated into visual hallucinations of human figures who also exhibited finger and hand movements corresponding to American Sign Language.<br />Conclusion: These fused, multimodal verbal hallucinations seem unlikely to be due to inner speech mislabeled as non-self, and instead suggest top-down re-shaping of activation in visual processing brain centers by pathogenically active receptive language neurocircuitry.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0001-690X
Volume :
114
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
16968367
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00791.x