Individuals with schizophrenia have reduced auditory cortex gray matter volume, auditory hallucinations, impaired auditory sensory processing, and altered auditory event related potentials. Prior to our investigations, debate was ongoing whether these sensory impairments arose solely from deficits in “higher order” brain regions (top down impairments), or whether they reflected pathology within the auditory system (bottom up impairments).
Psychosis affects about half of all patients with Alzheimer disease, causing additional burden to patients and their families. When present in Alzheimer disease, psychosis also serves as a predictor of a more aggressive course of illness, with more rapid cognitive decline and poor outcomes. Unfortunately, currently available treatments provide only limited relief of psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer disease patients, and do not prevent the more rapid decline.
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