title: A case of post-traumatic complex auditory hallucinosis treated with rTMS.
abstract: Previous studies of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia found that the hallucinations were reduced by the application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Here we describe a case of traumatic brain injury associated with continuous music hallucinations. An MRI scan showed a structural lesion of the right temporal pole and a PET scan indicated a hyperactive area of the posterior right temporal lobe. We hypothesized that rTMS applied to the right temporal area would reduce this activity and the corresponding hallucinations. The patient's music hallucinations were significantly reduced by rTMS treatment. A PET scan following treatment also indicated that rTMS treatment reduced brain activity in the right temporal lobe. This case provides initial evidence that rTMS may be a successful treatment of syndromes associated with hyperactive brain areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giglia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Panetta
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lo Baido
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brighina
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fierro
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation