The Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a clinical condition characterized by the appearance of visual hallucinations in patients with major visual deterioration and preserved cognitive conditions. It is estimated that the prevalence of visual hallucinations could exceed 50% in patients with severe eyesight conditions. However, case studies demonstrate a prevalence of 1.84–3.15% due to lack of kno...

OBJECTIVES To test the presence of abnormalities of visual cortical excitability in people using ecstasy as a recreational drug. METHODS Ecstasy users and control subjects underwent single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the occipital cortex. The phosphene threshold was analysed and compared in the two groups. RESULTS Phosphene thresholds were significantly lower in ecstasy...

Visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease are usually treatment-related and occur in at least 30% of patients. Although their clinical and epidemiological features have been extensively reviewed, their etiopathogenesis remains a matter of debate. Based on the current evidence available, this review suggests that regional neurodegeneration of the ventral dopaminergic pathway, as evident in th...

This review describes the oculo-visual problems likely to be encountered in Parkinson's disease (PD) with special reference to three questions: (1) are there visual symptoms characteristic of the prodromal phase of PD, (2) is PD dementia associated with specific visual changes, and (3) can visual symptoms help in the differential diagnosis of the parkinsonian syndromes, viz. PD, progressive sup...

Psychotic symptoms are frequent and disabling in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methodological issues in the epidemiology of PD associated psychosis (PDP) include differences in the symptoms assessed, the methods of assessment, and the selection of patients. Most studies are prospective clinic-based cross-sectional studies providing point prevalence rates in samples on dopaminergic tre...

associated initially with loss of unilateral vision and subsequently substantial loss of field in the unaffected eye, relieved by the administration of systemic corticosteroids: the hallucinations were a very temporary effect of cortical ischaemia relieved by prednisolone. In Case 2 the hallucinations occurred after an interval of two months, following severe bilateral loss of visual acuity, wi...

Like hallucinogenic drugs, full-field flickering visual stimulation produces regular, geometric hallucinations such as radial or spiral patterns. Computational and theoretical models have revealed that the geometry of these hallucinations can be related to functional neuro-anatomy. However, while experimental evidence links both visual flicker and hallucinogenic drugs to upward and downward mod...

Editor's Note: These short, critical reviews of recent papers in the Journal, written exclusively by graduate students or postdoctoral fellows, are intended to summarize the important findings of the paper and provide additional insight and commentary. For more information on the format and purpose of the Journal Club, please see Review of Mégevand et al. Visual hallucinations and related pheno...

patient was referred to the Neurology Dept., where imaging tests were performed (computerized tomography and magnetic resonance), as well as lumbar puncture, being subsequently diagnosed with intracranial hypertension secondary to central nervous system infiltrated by BL. The patient was referred to the Oncology Dept. for study and treatment. To conclude, even though BL is infrequent it should ...

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a condition where cognitively normal individuals with sight impairment experience simple and/or complex visual hallucinations. The exact pathogenesis of CBS unknown; however, deafferentation often recognised as causal mechanism. Studies have provided insight into the multifaceted impact on wellbeing. Onset may cause distress among those believing hallucinations ...