EEG changes associated with hallucinations caused by Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is defined by visual hallucinations in individuals with visual impairment.
• The underlying neuropathophysiology of CBS remains largely unknown.
• Understanding neural activity during hallucinations is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate neural activity changes associated with hallucination onset in CBS patients using electroencephalography (EEG).
• To identify a potential biomarker for CBS-related hallucinations.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) was employed to record brain activity in individuals experiencing frequent hallucinations.
• Analysis focused on changes in neural activity, specifically alpha power, at the precise onset and offset of hallucinations.
• Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of observed changes (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in alpha (α) power was observed in occipital electrodes at the onset of hallucinations compared to their offset.
• This finding suggests that intermittent periods of low endogenous alpha activity may predispose CBS patients to hallucinations.
• This study presents the first group-based evidence of a repeatable brain activity marker associated with hallucination emergence in CBS.

Conclusions:

• Reduced occipital alpha power serves as a potential neural marker for hallucination onset in Charles Bonnet syndrome.
• These findings have significant implications for early detection, prediction of hallucinations, and understanding CBS neuropathophysiology.
• Validating patient experiences through measurable brain changes may help reduce stigma associated with CBS.