Hallucination News and Research

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A hallucination, in the broadest sense of the word, is a perception in the absence of a stimulus. In a stricter sense, hallucinations are defined as perceptions in a conscious and awake state in the absence of external stimuli which have qualities of real perception, in that they are vivid, substantial, and located in external objective space.

Study reveals a brain mechanism underlying visual hallucinations in the blind

Some people have lost their eyesight, but they continue to "see." This phenomenon, a kind of vivid visual hallucination, is named after the Swiss doctor, Charles Bonnet, who described in 1769 how his completely blind grandfather experienced vivid, detailed visions of people, animals and objects.

7 Jan 2021

Lab models can be the best way to study hallucinations, neuroscientists say

Neuroscientists say the best way to study hallucinations is via lab models where they can be induced in anyone, anytime.

18 Dec 2020

New evidence of neurobiological mechanism for hallucinations and delusions found

A new study from researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has found evidence of a potential neurobiological mechanism for hallucinations and delusions that fits within the hierarchical model of psychosis and can explain their clinical presentation.

9 Nov 2020

Study: Impact of earlier diagnosis in focal epilepsy goes beyond timely treatment

Having subtler symptoms, a form of epilepsy that affects only one part of the brain often goes undiagnosed long enough to cause unexpected seizures that contribute to car crashes, a new study finds.

20 Oct 2020

Study paves way to better understand the pathophysiology of schizophrenia

There is an extremely high probability that individuals with 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome - a rare genetic disorder - will develop schizophrenia together with one of its most common symptoms, auditory hallucinations.

26 May 2020

Deficit schizophrenics are physically different from other people

The study, published in Schizophrenia Bulletin on August 19, 2019, points out some differences in mouth structure in people with one form of schizophrenia called deficit schizophrenia, compared with other schizophrenics and non-schizophrenics.

8 Oct 2019

The vulnerability to auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia may be established by infancy

Some people suffering from severe mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, hear "voices," known as auditory hallucinations.

3 Oct 2019

Neuroscientists control visual behavior of a mouse with single-cell precision

For the first time, a team of neuroscientists from Columbia University have controlled a visual behavior of a mouse by activating a few neurons in its visual cortex.

4 Jul 2019

Marijuana edibles carry risk and side effects for patients with cardiovascular disease

As marijuana legalization sweeps North America, use of the substance has been on the rise, and the public's attitude is shifting. An increasing number of people believe that "weed" is the safest recreational drug, one that carries health benefits that outweigh its risks.

11 Feb 2019

Are Electronic Cigarettes Facilitating Illicit Drug Use?

In this interview, Dr. Michelle Peace provides an introduction to her research into the use of e-cigarettes for the inhalation of illicit drugs.

From Pittcon 5 Feb 2019

Researchers find link between brain structure and hallucination proneness, musical aptitude

New research published in Schizophrenia Research conducted at the University of Liverpool links brain structure to an individual's likelihood of experiencing hallucinations and to their musical aptitude.

11 Dec 2017

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals announces results from Phase II study of antipsychotic in Alzheimer's disease psychosis

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs in central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced the presentation of data from the Phase II -019 Study of pimavanserin in Alzheimer's disease psychosis at the 10th Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease meeting in Boston.

3 Nov 2017

Brain disconnections in Parkinson’s patients might lead to visual hallucination, study says

A new study published in the online journal Radiology suggested that disconnections in the areas of the brain, which are involved in attention and visual processing might lead to visual hallucinations in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

27 Sep 2017

Good sleep linked to reduction in psychological problems

According a new study lack of sleep can actually contribute to mental health problems as suspected earlier. The study aimed to see if improvement in sleep could help reduce psychological problems such as paranoia and hallucinations. The study termed OASIS (Oxford Access for Students Improving Sleep) was a randomized controlled trial that involved 26 universities in the United Kingdom. The study was published in the latest issue of the journal Lancet Psychology.

6 Sep 2017

Scientists identify and target specific brain area related to ‘hearing voices’ in schizophrenia

For the first time, scientists have precisely identified and targeted an area of the brain which is involved in "hearing voices", experienced by many patients with schizophrenia.

5 Sep 2017

Scientists identify microrna that provides clues for quieting auditory hallucinations of schizophrenia

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified a small RNA (microRNA) that may be essential to restoring normal function in a brain circuit associated with the "voices" and other hallucinations of schizophrenia.

30 Nov 2016

Structural differences in key brain region linked to hallucinations in people diagnosed with schizophrenia

People diagnosed with schizophrenia who are prone to hallucinations are likely to have structural differences in a key region of the brain compared to both healthy individuals and people diagnosed with schizophrenia who do not hallucinate, according to research published today.

17 Nov 2015

Charles Bonnet syndrome: an interview with Dr. Dominic ffytche

Charles Bonnet syndrome is the name we give to the visual hallucinations associated with eye disease. There are lots of different causes of visual hallucinations. Many different medical problems and medications can cause them, but, when the cause is eye disease, it's referred to as Charles Bonnet Syndrome after Charles Bonnet, who was a natural philosopher in the 18th century.

2 Nov 2015

Does smoking increase the risk of developing psychosis?

Research conducted at King’s College London and reported in Lancet Psychiatry today indicates that smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing psychosis; a mental health disorder that disrupts normal processing by the brain causing delusion and hallucination.

10 Jul 2015

Eisai, Arena complete two Phase 1 registrational trials for once-daily formulation of lorcaserin

Eisai Inc. and Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the completion of two Phase 1 registrational clinical trials that Eisai and Arena believe demonstrate bioequivalence of an investigational once-daily extended release formulation of lorcaserin, as compared to the twice-daily immediate release formulation approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and marketed as BELVIQ.

13 Apr 2015