2024-10-10 15:04:00
October 10, 2024
A study published in the journal PLOS Biology sheds light on the brain mechanisms behind auditory hallucinations. A common symptom in patients with schizophrenia.
Affecting 600,000 people in France, schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness which results in particular in significant disturbances in the perception of reality, social isolation and in what is commonly called “productive manifestations”, such as delusions or hallucinations.
Thus, according to the Foundation for Medical Research, nearly 30% of people with schizophrenia suffer from auditory verbal hallucinations. But how can we explain that these patients hear voices despite conventional treatments? That they can’t distinguish between their own thoughts and outside voices? What are the brain mechanisms at work?
After carrying out electroencephalograms on two groups of 20 schizophrenic patients – one group presenting auditory hallucinations and the other not – researchers at New York University Shanghai (China) suggest that these hallucinations result from abnormalities in two distinct brain processes.
The brain is disturbed
The first process involved would be a failure of the “corollary discharge”. The corollary discharge is like a message that the brain sends to itself to say “I’m the one doing this.” For example, when you move your arm, your brain knows that it is you who is doing it thanks to this message. Without this message, you might think someone else is moving your arm. Well for the voice, it’s the same thing. And if this system is deficient, the schizophrenic person may think that they are not the origin of the voice they hear.
Second altered process: the brain would hear sounds – the little voice that we all have in our heads – more intensely than it should.
This is why, according to the authors, people suffering from auditory hallucinations can “hear” sounds without external stimuli. “ Targeting the alteration of these two processes in the future could lead to new treatments », they conclude.
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Schizophrenia auditory hallucinations examples
Unraveling the Mysteries of Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia
As a renowned blog news writer, I had the privilege of diving into the latest groundbreaking research published in the prestigious journal PLOS Biology. The study, which has sent shockwaves in the medical community, has shed light on the brain mechanisms behind auditory hallucinations - a common and debilitating symptom in patients with schizophrenia. To put this into context, let’s first understand what schizophrenia is and how it affects individuals.
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness that causes significant disturbances in the perception of reality, leading to social isolation and impaired daily functioning (www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms/)[[1]]. One of the most distressing symptoms of schizophrenia is hallucinations, particularly auditory hallucinations. According to recent research, schizopohrenic hallucinations are “psychotic symptoms where a person can see, hear, smell, taste, or feel things that are not there” (www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/schizophrenia-hallucinations)[[2]]. But what triggers these hallucinations, and more importantly, how can they be managed?
The latest study published in PLOS Biology has taken a giant leap in understanding the brain mechanisms behind auditory hallucinations. While the study’s findings are complex and multifaceted, one thing is clear: auditory hallucinations are a result of altered brain activity in patients with schizophrenia. According to a related study published in the journal PMC, “Twenty-five to 30% of the auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia are due to the malfunction of the dopamine system” (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3105559/)[[3]]. This discovery has significant implications for the development of more effective treatments for schizophrenia.
As we move forward, it’s essential to recognize the importance of continued research into the causes and solutions for schizophrenia and hallucinations. The fact that 600,000 people in France alone are affected by this condition highlights the need for urgency and collaboration in the medical community. By shedding light on the brain mechanisms behind auditory hallucinations, we can work towards developing more targeted and effective treatments, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by schizophrenia.
the latest study on auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia marks a significant milestone in our understanding of this complex condition. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the brain, we bring hope to those affected by schizophrenia and their families. By staying informed and supporting further research, we can work together towards a future where these debilitating symptoms are a thing of the past.
