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Toward a brain map of auditory hallucinations.
J M Cleghorn1, S Franco, B Szechtman
1Department of Psychiatry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia show distinct brain metabolic patterns, particularly in language areas. Neuroleptic treatment impacts striatal metabolism and reduces hallucinations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Auditory hallucinations are a common symptom of schizophrenia.
- Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of hallucinations is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if auditory hallucinations are associated with a unique brain metabolic signature.
- To explore the role of specific brain regions and the effect of neuroleptic treatment on these patterns.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose was used to measure regional brain metabolism.
- 12 patients with schizophrenia experiencing auditory hallucinations and 10 without were studied.
- Nine patients were reassessed after one year of neuroleptic treatment.
Main Results:
- Patients with hallucinations showed lower metabolism in auditory and Wernicke's areas compared to those without.
- Hallucination severity correlated with increased metabolism in the striatum and anterior cingulate cortex.
- Neuroleptic treatment increased striatal metabolism and correlated with reduced hallucinations.
Conclusions:
- Auditory hallucinations involve specific language cortical regions and the striatum.
- The pattern differs from normal auditory processing due to lack of left prefrontal activation.
- The striatum appears critical in the pathophysiology of auditory hallucinations.