Pathogenesis and symptomatology of hallucinations (delusions) of organic brain disorder and schizophrenia

Authors: HORIGUCHI, Jun; MIYAOKA, Tsuyoshi¹; SHINNO, Hideto²

Source: Psychogeriatrics, Volume 9, Number 2, June 2009 , pp. 73-76(4)

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Abstract:

In this review article, in order to explore the mechanisms underlying the hallucinations/delusions of schizophrenia, we discuss the contribution of the following four questions: (i) can an understanding of dreams contribute to our understanding of the genesis of halluciations and/or delusions; (ii) are the mechanisms underlying psychotropic drug-induced psychoses the same as those underlying the hallucinations and/or delusions in schizophrenia; (iii) does disturbed consciousness contribute to the manifestation of psychotic features; and (iv) are the psychoses caused by organic brain disorders any different to the hallucinations and/or delusions seen in schizophrenia? We conclude that there is a strong association between drug-induced hallucinations or hallucinations associated with organic brain disorders and simple hallucinosis or fluctuations in arousal level. Because intermediate configurations and/or cross-staining phenomena exist for hallucinations and delusions, especially in schizophrenic disorders, it is difficult to isolate the hallucinations and to recognize them as being abnormal experiences.

Keywords: consciousness; delusion; hallucinations; organic brain disorder; schizophrenia

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-8301.2009.00282.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychiatry, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, and 2: Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan

Publication date: 2009-06-01