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Visual hallucinations, attention, and neural circuitry: Perspectives from schizophrenia research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2005

Kevin M. Spencer*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, 116A, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, Brockton, MA02301http://spencer.kevin.home.comcast.net
Robert W. McCarley*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, 116A, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School, Brockton, MA02301http://spencer.kevin.home.comcast.net

Abstract

We tested Collerton et al.'s model of visual hallucinations by re-examining a data set for correlations between visual hallucinations and measures of attentional function in schizophrenia patients. These data did not support their model. We suggest that cortical hyperexcitability plays an important role in hallucinations, and propose an alternative model that links evidence for cortical hyperexcitability with abnormal neural dynamics.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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References

Notes

1. The authors of this commentary are employed by a government agency and as such this commentary is considered a work of the U.S. government and not subject to copyright within the United States.