Scientists have made an important discovery in the field of auditory hallucinations, which can significantly change approaches to the treatment of mental disorders, such as schizophrenia. In a new study published in the journal PLOS Biology , scientists have found two potential brain processes that can lead to auditory hallucinations.
Mental disorders and brain failures
The study, conducted by the Tianmm and his colleagues from New York University in Shanghai, included electroencephalogram (EEG), with the help of which measured brain waves in twenty patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who heard hallucinations, and in twenty patients with schizophrenia, never schizophrenia, never schizophrenia.
It turned out that two main failures are a "broken" correlative discharge that does not suppress the sounds generated by the brain, and a "noisy" efferent copy that enhances the perception of these sounds. These disorders interfere with the brain properly recognize self -generated sounds, opening up new opportunities for treatment.
The mechanism of sound formation
Usually, when a person is preparing to speak, his brain sends a signal known as a correlative discharge that suppresses the sound of her own voice. However, during the study, patients with auditory hallucinations not only did not suppress the internal sound, but also revealed an increased response of the efferent copy to the internal sounds that differed from the planned composition.
This phenomenon indicates impaired functional connections between motor and auditory systems of the brain, which can lead to loss of ability to distinguish between imagination and reality.
New opportunities for treatment
The study authors believe that a purposeful effect on these disorders can be the basis for new treatments for auditory hallucinations. They hope that further research in this area will find more effective approaches to therapy for patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
