Circadian Rhythms in Auditory Hallucinations and Psychosis
Hong-Viet Victor Ngo, Henrik Oster, Christina Andreou, Jonas Obleser
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Argues that circadian disruption may contribute to auditory hallucinations in psychosis, with an imbalance in cortical excitation and inhibition driving dopaminergic disinhibition proposed as a central mechanism. Proposes two avenues for experimentally intervening on circadian influences to potentially alleviate hallucinations. |
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are imprinted in all organisms and influence virtually all aspects of physiology and behaviour in adaptation to the 24-hour day-night cycle. This recognition of a circadian timekeeping system permeating essentially all healthy functioning of body and mind quickly leads to the realisation that, in turn, human ailments should be probed for the degree to which they are rooted in or marked by disruptions and dysregulations of circadian clock functions in the human body. In this review, we will focus on psychosis as a key mental illness and foremost one of its cardinal symptoms: auditory hallucinations. We will discuss recent empirical evidence and conceptual advances probing the potential role of circadian disruption in auditory hallucinations. Moreover, a dysbalance in excitation and inhibition within cortical networks, which in turn drive a disinhibition of dopaminergic signalling will be highlighted as central physiological mechanism. Finally, we will propose two avenues for experimentally intervening on the circadian influences to potentially alleviate hallucinations in psychotic disorders.