Are Auditory Hallucinations Related to the Brain's Resting State Activity? A 'Neurophenomenal Resting State Hypothesis'

Summary

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) may arise from abnormally elevated resting state activity in the auditory cortex, abnormal modulation of the auditory cortex by anterior cortical midline regions of the default-mode network, and neural confusion between resting state changes and stimulus-induced activity. This 'resting state hypothesis' integrates recent findings on intrinsic brain activity and corresponds with subjective-experiential features from phenomenological accounts, leading to a 'neurophenomenal resting state hypothesis' of AVH in schizophrenia.

Study at a glance

Abstract

While several hypotheses about the neural mechanisms underlying auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) have been suggested, the exact role of the recently highlighted intrinsic resting state activity of the brain remains unclear. Based on recent findings, we therefore developed what we call the 'resting state hypotheses' of AVH. Our hypothesis suggest that AVH may be traced back to abnormally elevated resting state activity in auditory cortex itself, abnormal modulation of the auditory cortex by anterior cortical midline regions as part of the default-mode network, and neural confusion between auditory cortical resting state changes and stimulus-induced activity. We discuss evidence in favour of our 'resting state hypothesis' and show its correspondence with phenomenal, i.e., subjective-experiential features as explored in phenomenological accounts. Therefore I speak of a 'neurophenomenal resting state hypothesis' of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.