Cortical activity associated with auditory hallucinations.
Auditory hallucinations are one the most enigmatic and hampering symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Non-invasive functional imaging techniques have begun to delineate the underlying neuronal basis. We investigated the spontaneous magnetoencephalographic activity in a 33-year-old male schizophrenic patient and compared the results to those obtained from 13 healthy controls. Despite current neuroleptic medication (clozapine) the patient was still suffering from auditory hallucinations. Using the dipole density method, we were able to demonstrate an increase of fast MEG activity (12.5-30 Hz) in the left auditory cortex associated with hallucinations. This activity was absent in healthy controls. We conclude that an increase in fast MEG activity in the auditory cortex is a neurophysiologic correlate for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.
Ropohl
Axel
A
Departments of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. axel.ropohl@psych.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Sperling
Wolfgang
W
Elstner
Samuel
S
Tomandl
Bernd
B
Reulbach
Udo
U
Kaltenhäuser
Martin
M
Kornhuber
Johannes
J
Maihöfner
Christian
C
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D008297:Male; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine