New study reveals why schizophrenic patients hear voices

People with schizophrenia often hear voices that do not exist in the real world. For years, scientists have attempted to crack the code of auditory hallucinations. In a recent study led by Chen Zhang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Jing Tian, ​​New York University Shanghai, researchers have finally concluded that hearing voices is the result of a brain impairment in processing and predicting sensory information.

Why do auditory hallucinations occur?

For years, auditory hallucinations were thought to be the result of an overactive imagination—which is prevalent in schizophrenia. However, recent studies debunk that myth and show that it is actually a biological process that involves a complex interplay between motor and sensory systems in the brain.

The study was conducted on two groups of schizophrenic patients – one group who experienced auditory verbal hallucinations, and the other group who did not. Studying their differences in brain function, researchers came up with the results.

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During the study, participants were placed in different scenarios where they were asked to speak – one situation involved them speaking while being prepared, the other the situation asked them to speak without knowing what to say. In these conditions, researchers played sounds and measured brain responses using electroencephalography.

Brain impairment in motor planning and prediction

It was observed that in healthy individuals, normal speech preparation could suppress overall auditory responses, whereas this was not the case in schizophrenic patients. Therefore, the study revealed a fundamental impairment in this inhibitory mechanism.

This study serves as a wake-up call to explore better treatment options for schizophrenia and other mental disorders. It also helps us recognize that what is often thought of as a sensory phenomenon may have deep roots in the brain’s planning and prediction processes. In some forms of dementia or drug-induced conditions in which the perception of reality is altered, like schizophrenia – this study could help understand mental conditions and provide treatment options.

Also Read: World Schizophrenia Awareness Day: Is it bipolar disorder or schizophrenia? Expert on differences between symptoms

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.