Understanding visual hallucinations: A new synthesis.
Daniel Collerton, James Barnes, Nico J Diederich, Rob Dudley, Dominic Ffytche, Karl Friston, Christopher G Goetz, Jennifer G Goldman, Renaud Jardri, Jaime Kulisevsky, Simon J G Lewis, Shigetoshi Nara, Claire O'callaghan, Marco Onofrj, Javier Pagonabarraga, Thomas Parr, James M Shine, Glenn Stebbins, John-paul Taylor, Ichiro Tsuda, Rimona S Weil
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews July 1, 2023 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105208 via PubMed
Summary
An integrated Visual Hallucination Framework was developed to unify eight models of complex visual hallucinations. This framework aims to systematically investigate the cognitive systems involved in hallucinations and their relationship with visual perception. It suggests that the episodic nature of hallucinations is linked to various factors affecting their onset, persistence, and cessation. The framework not only harmonizes existing evidence but also identifies new research directions and treatment approaches for distressing hallucinations.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The integrated Visual Hallucination Framework offers a consistent approach to understanding the cognitive systems related to visual hallucinations and highlights new research and treatment possibilities. |
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Abstract
Despite decades of research, we do not definitively know how people sometimes see things that are not there. Eight models of complex visual hallucinations have been published since 2000, including Deafferentation, Reality Monitoring, Perception and Attention Deficit, Activation, Input, and Modulation, Hodological, Attentional Networks, Active Inference, and Thalamocortical Dysrhythmia Default Mode Network Decoupling. Each was derived from different understandings of brain organisation. To reduce this variability, representatives from each research group agreed an integrated Visual Hallucination Framework that is consistent with current theories of veridical and hallucinatory vision. The Framework delineates cognitive systems relevant to hallucinations. It allows a systematic, consistent, investigation of relationships between the phenomenology of visual hallucinations and changes in underpinning cognitive structures. The episodic nature of hallucinations highlights separate factors associated with the onset, persistence, and end of specific hallucinations suggesting a complex relationship between state and trait markers of hallucination risk. In addition to a harmonised interpretation of existing evidence, the Framework highlights new avenues of research, and potentially, new approaches to treating distressing hallucinations.