Auditory hallucinations: where do they come from?

Auditory hallucinations are common and distressing symptoms that occur in a number of conditions including schizophrenia. Various hypotheses have been suggested as to their pathophysiological mechanism.

This work describes a series of neuro imaging studies that provide evidence to support the hypothesis that:

1. Auditory hallucinations derive from excessive reactivity of sensory cortical regions invoked by auditory sensory perception.

2. That those reactive regions involve specific modules that process aspects of auditory perception that, together, contribute to how real those percepts are experienced.

The model proposed is one which goes some way to explaining why these experiences are real to those who perceive them, in the absence of an external stimulus, and may provide pointers towards new approaches to treatment.

Author(s): Peter Woodruff

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