低频重复经颅磁刺激治疗精神分裂症慢性幻听的疗效及随访研究

目的研究低频重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）对精神分裂症难治性慢性幻听症状的疗效。方法将46例精神分裂症伴慢性幻听患者随机分为研究组（23例）和对照组（23例）。研究组在原有抗精神病药物种类及剂量不变的同时给予经左侧颞顶叶的2周共10次低频（1Hz）rTMS刺激,对照组采用假rTMS刺激。治疗前后对两组分别进行AHRS听幻觉量表及临床疗效总评量表（CGI）评定幻听症状的变化,并对治疗有效者于3个月后随访。结果研究组治疗前、后AHRS评分分别为（8．1±2．5）和（3．5±1．5）;对照组为（7．8±2．6）和（6．5±2．1）,研究组疗效明显优于对照组（F=20．3,P〈0．05）。所有患者均完成试验,未见有严重的副反应出现。结论低频rTMS治疗精神分裂症难治性慢性幻听症状,疗效肯定且安全性好。     

Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improves source monitoring deficit in hallucinating patients with schizophrenia

Auditory hallucinations have been associated with a disruption in monitoring one's own speech suggesting an autonoetic agnosia in schizophrenia. This deficit can be measured by a source monitoring task. Low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulations (rTMS) applied to the left temporoparietal cortex can inhibit cortical areas involved both in autonoetic agnosia (which means 'the inability to identify self-generated mental events') and in auditory hallucinations (AH) phenomena. Although improvements in AH have been repeatedly reported following rTMS treatment, effects on autonoetic agnosia measured by source monitoring have never been investigated. We aimed to investigate the relation between improvements in AH and source monitoring performance after rTMS treatment. Twenty four right-handed refractory schizophrenic patients with hallucinations randomly received sham or active 10.0001-Hz rTMS to the left temporoparietal cortex and performed 2 source monitoring tasks requiring discrimination between silent- and overt-reading words before and after rTMS sessions. Compared to sham, active rTMS significantly improved AH. Source monitoring performances and the improvements tended to correlate, which would support a specific relation between autonoetic agnosia and auditory hallucinations.     

Temporoparietal transcranial magnetic stimulation for auditory hallucinations: safety, efficacy and moderators in a fifty patient sample.

BACKGROUND: Auditory hallucinations are often resistant to treatment and can produce significant distress and behavioral difficulties. A preliminary report based on 24 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder indicated greater improvement in auditory hallucinations following 1-hertz left temporoparietal repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) compared to sham stimulation. Data from the full 50-subject sample incorporating 26 new patients are now presented to more comprehensively assess safety/tolerability, efficacy and moderators of this intervention. METHODS: Right-handed patients experiencing auditory hallucinations at least 5 times per day were randomly allocated to receive either rTMS or sham stimulation. A total of 132 minutes of rTMS was administered over 9 days at 90% motor threshold using a double-masked, sham-controlled, parallel design. RESULTS: Hallucination Change Score was more improved for rTMS relative to sham stimulation (p = .008) as was the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (p = .0004). Hallucination frequency was significantly decreased during rTMS relative to sham stimulation (p = .0014) and was a moderator of rTMS effects (p = .008). There was no evidence of neurocognitive impairment associated with rTMS. CONCLUSIONS: Left temporoparietal 1-hertz rTMS warrants further study as an intervention for auditory hallucinations. Data suggest that this intervention selectively alters neurobiological factors determining frequency of these hallucinations.     

不同部位低频重复经颅磁刺激治疗顽固性幻听起效时间和安全性的双盲对照研究

目的 初步探讨背外侧前额叶和左侧颞顶叶低频重复经颅磁刺激(repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,rTMS)治疗精神分裂症顽固性幻听的疗效(起效时间)和安全性.方法 36例伴有顽固性幻听的精神分裂症患者随机分为三组,分别为背外侧前额叶rTMS治疗组(n1 =12)、左侧颞顶叶rTMS治疗组(n2=14)及对照组(假性刺激)(n3=10),背外侧前额叶rTMS治疗组、左侧颞顶叶rTMS治疗组分别给予10次1 Hz rTMS真性刺激,对照组给予假刺激,治疗期间维持原有抗精神病药种类及剂量不变.采用阳性和阴性症状量表(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale,PANSS)评定临床症状,不良反应症状量表(Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale,TESS)、纯音听力测试评估副反应.结果 两个真性治疗组疗效均明显优于假性治疗组,与基线比较,背外侧前额叶组第4次评估、左侧颞顶叶组第7次评估出现统计学差异,两个治疗组比较差异无统计学意义.无论治疗组、对照组均未观察到明显的副反应.结论 1 Hz背外侧前额叶、左侧颞顶叶低频重复经颅磁刺激治疗精神分裂症顽固性幻听均有效,且安全性高.     

Slow transcranial magnetic stimulation can rapidly reduce resistant auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Almost a quarter of patients with schizophrenia present with resistant auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH), a phenomenon that may relate to activation of brain areas underlying speech perception. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at 1 Hz reduces cortical activation, and recent results have shown that 1-Hz left temporoparietal rTMS may reduce AVH. The aim of this study was to replicate recent data and investigate whether low-frequency rTMS with a high total stimulation number delivered in a shorter 5-day block produces similar benefit. METHODS: Ten right-handed schizophrenia patients with resistant AVH received 5 days of active rTMS and 5 days of sham rTMS (2,000 stimulations per day at 90% of motor threshold) over the left temporoparietal cortex in a double-blind crossover design. The two weeks of stimulation were separated by a 1-week washout period. RESULTS: AVH were robustly improved (56%) by 5 days active rTMS, whereas no variation was observed after sham. Seven patients were responders to active treatment, five of whom maintained improvement for at least 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm the efficiency of low-frequency rTMS applied to the left temporoparietal cortex, compared with sham stimulation, in reducing resistant AVH. This improvement can be obtained in only 5 days without serious initial adverse events.     

Sentinel events and predictors of suicide among inpatients at psychiatric hospitals

Background

About 25% of schizophrenia patients with auditory hallucinations are refractory to pharmacotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. We conducted a deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pilot study in order to evaluate the potential clinical benefit of repeated left temporoparietal cortex stimulation in these patients. The results were encouraging, but a sham-controlled study was needed to rule out a placebo effect.

Methods

A total of 18 schizophrenic patients with refractory auditory hallucinations were recruited, from Beer Yaakov MHC and other hospitals outpatient populations. Patients received 10 daily treatment sessions with low-frequency (1 Hz for 10 min) deep TMS applied over the left temporoparietal cortex, using the H1 coil at the intensity of 110% of the motor threshold. Procedure was either real or sham according to patient randomization. Patients were evaluated via the Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale, Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms-Negative Symptoms, Clinical Global Impressions, and Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results

In all, 10 patients completed the treatment (10 TMS sessions). Auditory hallucination scores of both groups improved; however, there was no statistical difference in any of the scales between the active and the sham treated groups.

Conclusions

Low-frequency deep TMS to the left temporoparietal cortex using the protocol mentioned above has no statistically significant effect on auditory hallucinations or the other clinical scales measured in schizophrenic patients.

Trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00564096.     

Right prefrontal rTMS treatment for refractory auditory command hallucinations - a neuroSPECT assisted case study

Auditory command hallucinations probably arise from the patient's failure to monitor his/her own 'inner speech', which is connected to activation of speech perception areas of the left cerebral cortex and to various degrees of dysfunction of cortical circuits involved in schizophrenia as supported by functional brain imaging. We hypothesized that rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), by increasing cortical activation of the right prefrontal brain region, would bring about a reduction of the hallucinations. We report our first schizophrenic patient affected with refractory command hallucinations treated with 10 Hz rTMS. Treatment was performed over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with 1200 magnetic stimulations administered daily for 20 days at 90% motor threshold. Regional cerebral blood flow changes were monitored with neuroSPECT. Clinical evaluation and scores on the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale demonstrated a global improvement in the patient's condition, with no change in the intensity and frequency of the hallucinations. NeuroSPECT performed at intervals during and after treatment indicated a general improvement in cerebral perfusion. We conclude that right prefrontal rTMS may induce a general clinical improvement of schizophrenic brain function, without directly influencing the mechanism involved in auditory command hallucinations.     

低频重复经颅磁刺激对难治性精神分裂症的增效作用

目的评价低频重复经颅磁刺激(r TMS)对难治性精神分裂症的疗效和认知功能的影响及其安全性。方法将52例幻听症状突出的难治性精神分裂症患者随机分为真刺激组和伪刺激组,刺激频率为1Hz,部位为背外侧前额叶皮质。在基线期、2周(治疗10次)、6周(治疗20次)和治疗结束后1个月采用阳性和阴性症状量表(PANSS)、幻听量表(AHRS)、临床总体印象量表(CGIS)评价精神症状,采用可反复测查的成套神经心理状态评估工具(RBANS)评价认知功能,采用副反应量表(TESS)评定不良反应。结果 r TMS治疗10次、20次及随访1个月时,真刺激组和伪刺激组相比,PANSS幻觉、CGI评分、AHRS频率及RBANS总评分比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05或0.01);r TMS治疗20次及随访1个月时,AHRS总评分、影响、痛苦、RBANS视觉广度、言语功能及注意力评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05或0.01);随访1个月时,PANSS阳性症状、一般病理症状评分、RBANS即刻记忆评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05或0.01)。r TMS治疗后未发现明显不良反应。结论低频r TMS可改善精神分裂症的幻听、阳性症状和认知功能且安全性好。     

Transcranial magnetic stimulation of left temporoparietal cortex and medication-resistant auditory hallucinations

BACKGROUND: Neuroimaging studies suggest that auditory hallucinations (AHs) of speech arise, at least in part, from activation of brain areas underlying speech perception. One-hertz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) produces sustained reductions in cortical activation. Recent results of 4-day administration of 1-Hz rTMS to left temporoparietal cortex were superior to those of sham stimulation in reducing AHs. We sought to determine if a more extended trial of rTMS could significantly reduce AHs that were resistant to antipsychotic medication. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and medication-resistant AHs were randomly allocated to receive rTMS or sham stimulation for 9 days at 90% of motor threshold. Patients receiving sham stimulation were subsequently offered an open-label trial of rTMS. Neuropsychological assessments were administered at baseline and during and following each arm of the trial. RESULTS: Auditory hallucinations were robustly improved with rTMS relative to sham stimulation. Frequency and attentional salience were the 2 aspects of hallucinatory experience that showed greatest improvement. Duration of putative treatment effects ranged widely, with 52% of patients maintaining improvement for at least 15 weeks. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was well tolerated, without evidence of neuropsychological impairment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the mechanism of AHs involves activation of the left temporoparietal cortex. One-hertz rTMS deserves additional study as a possible treatment for this syndrome.     

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for auditory hallucinations treatment in refractory schizophrenic patients

Background. The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) remains a promising therapeutic tool in the treatment of schizophrenia. Symptoms such as auditory hallucinations (AH) find contradictory results in many studies. Here we present an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis of rTMS in the treatment of AH in schizophrenia. Methods. We searched Pubmed-MEDLINE from 1999 to 2013 for double-blinded randomized sham-controlled trials that applied slow rTMS on the left temporoparietal cortex and assessed the outcome results using Hallucination Change Scale or Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale or Scale for Auditory Hallucinations (SAH). We identified 10 studies suitable for the meta-analysis. Results. We found a positive sized effect in favor of rTMS [random-effects model Hedges’ g = 0.011, I-squared = 58.1%]. There was some variability between study effect sizes, but the sensitivity analysis concluded that none of them had sufficient weight to singularly alter the results of our meta-analysis. Discussion. rTMS appears to be an effective treatment for AH. The left temporoparietal cortex seems to be the area in which rTMS is effective. Although meta-analysis is a powerful analytical tool, more studies must be conducted in order to obtain a more expressive sample size to perform a more accurate analytical approach.     

Stereotaxic rTMS for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia

Auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia may be due to dysfunctional inner speech-related cortical areas. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been reported to be an effective treatment of hallucinations. In a cross-over sham controlled study, we guided rTMS stereotactically to inner speech-related cortical areas in hallucinating patients. These areas were identified individually prior to rTMS using fMRI in a subgroup of our patients. Active stimulation was applied over Broca's area and over the superior temporal gyrus as determined by fMRI, or according to structural images in the remaining patients. rTMS did not lead to a significant reduction of hallucination severity. Conclusively, rTMS has to be regarded critically as a possible novel tool for the treatment of hallucinations.     

MRI-targeted repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of Heschl's gyrus for refractory auditory hallucinations

BackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown promise as a treatment for refractory auditory hallucinations (AH) in Schizophrenia. Most previous studies have examined the effect of low frequency, left-sided stimulation (LFL) (1 Hz) to the temporoparietal cortex (TPC). Priming stimulation (6 Hz) prior to LFL stimulation (hereby simply referred to as priming) has been shown to enhance the neurophysiological effects of LFL rTMS alone and, as such, may lead to greater attenuation of AH.ObjectiveTherefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of priming rTMS and LFL rTMS compared to sham rTMS using MRI targeting of Heschl’s gyrus (HG) within the TPC of subjects with SCZ experiencing refractory auditory hallucinations (AH).MethodsSubjects between the ages of 18 and 65 were recruited from a tertiary care university hospital. Fifty-four subjects with medication resistant AH were randomized to receive LFL, priming, or sham rTMS for 20 treatments. The primary outcome was reduction of hallucinatory symptoms as indexed by response rates on the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS).ResultsThe response rates did not differ among the three treatment groups using an intention to treat analysis. The response rates did not differ in any of the secondary outcome measures. The treatment was well tolerated with minimal adverse effects including no changes in cognition during the study.ConclusionThese findings suggest that neither priming nor LFL rTMS of Heschl’s gyrus are effective at ameliorating refractory AH in schizophrenia.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01386918     

低频重复经颅磁刺激治疗精神分裂症顽固性幻听的临床研究

目的：研究左侧颞顶区低频（1Hz）重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）治疗伴有顽固性言语性幻听的精神分裂症的疗效。方法：将35例伴有顽固言语性幻听的精神分裂症患者随机分为研究组18例和对照组17例。在原有抗精神病药种类及剂量不变的基础上,研究组给予左侧颞顶区频率为1Hz的真性rTMS刺激2周共10次,对照组给予相应的假性刺激。两组治疗前后均采用阳性与阴性症状量表（PANSS）评定其总体临床症状及幻听的变化,并进行威斯康星卡片分类测验（WCST）及听觉注意力测验（CPT）。结果：35例患者均完成治疗,研究组治疗前后幻听评分分别为（4．89±1．18）分和（3．00±1．75）分,对照组治疗前后幻听评分分别为（4．88±1．11）分和（4．24±1．20）分（F=7．72,P=0．009）。研究组有效率77．8％显著优于对照组41．2％（P=0．041）。治疗后两组问PANSS评分除阴性症状外其他各项评分改善差异均有显著性（P〈0．05）。WCST和CFF评分治疗后两组间差异无显著性（P〉0．05）。结论：左侧颞顶区rTMS对于幻听具有较肯定的治疗作用,并且能够改善精神分裂症患者的总体精神病性症状。在一定程度上能够改善患者的认知功能,但尚无确切疗效。     

The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on depressive symptoms and the P(300) event-related potential

Changes in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the P(300) auditory event-related potential were assessed in 10 patients with depression before and after a treatment course of five daily sessions of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left prefrontal cortex. The patients were initially randomly allocated either to an active or a placebo rTMS treatment. All patients received both types of treatment separated by an interval of 4 weeks. The median Hamilton score decreased by 7 points following active rTMS and by 1 point after sham (p=0.075). Active rTMS was associated with a significant increase in the P(300) amplitude compared with sham (p=0.02). There was no correlation between changes in P(300) measurements and the Hamilton scores after active treatment. We conclude that five daily sessions of left prefrontal rTMS treatment is not of sufficient duration to make a significant improvement in depressive symptoms.     

Auditory/Verbal hallucinations, speech perception neurocircuitry, and the social deafferentation hypothesis.

Auditory/verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are comprised of spoken conversational speech seeming to arise from specific, nonself speakers. One hertz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduces excitability in the brain region stimulated. Studies utilizing 1-Hz rTMS delivered to the left temporoparietal cortex, a brain area critical to speech perception, have demonstrated statistically significant improvements in AVHs relative to sham simulation. A novel mechanism of AVHs is proposed whereby dramatic pre-psychotic social withdrawal prompts neuroplastic reorganization by the "social brain" to produce spurious social meaning via hallucinations of conversational speech. Preliminary evidence supporting this hypothesis includes a very high rate of social withdrawal emerging prior to the onset of frank psychosis in patients who develop schizophrenia and AVHs. Moreover, reduced AVHs elicited by temporoparietal 1-Hz rTMS are likely to reflect enhanced long-term depression. Some evidence suggests a loss of long-term depression following experimentally-induced deafferentation. Finally, abnormal cortico-cortical coupling is associated with AVHs and also is a common outcome of deafferentation. Auditory/verbal hallucinations (AVHs) of spoken speech or "voices" are reported by 60-80% of persons with schizophrenia at various times during the course of illness. AVHs are associated with high levels of distress, functional disability, and can lead to violent acts. Among patients with AVHs, these symptoms remain poorly or incompletely responsive to currently available treatments in approximately 25% of cases. For patients with AVHs who do respond to antipsychotic drugs, there is a very high likelihood that these experiences will recur in subsequent episodes. A more precise characterization of underlying pathophysiology may lead to more efficacious treatments.     

Treatment of auditory verbal hallucinations with transcranial magnetic stimulation in a patient with psychotic major depression: one-year follow-up

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) in patients with schizophrenia can respond to repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We report the therapeutic utility of rTMS in a 48-year-old patient with a 20-year history of severe depression (five suicidal gestures and previous failure of ECT) and internal AVH. First, 20 Hz rTMS to the left prefrontal cortex for 3 weeks significantly improved depression (BDI-II: 89% change, lasting 14 months along with weekly/bi-weekly maintenance treatments), but AVH remained unchanged. The patient also underwent a further course of the left temporo-parietal 1 Hz rTMS and amelioration of AVH severity was achieved (PSYRATS-AH: 53% change) and maintained at 1-year follow-up. AVH respond to rTMS in disorders other than schizophrenia. Furthermore, targeted rTMS to different brain regions can address diverse symptoms in neuropsychiatric conditions.     

Transcranial magnetic stimulation for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia

It has been suggested that low frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over left temporo-parietal cortex may reduce the frequency and intensity of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Sixteen patients with hallucinations, treatment-resistant for at least 2 months, were randomised into a placebo-controlled crossover study of TMS at 1 Hz and 80% of motor threshold over left temporo-parietal cortex. Treatment periods lasted for 4 days, with daily duration escalating from 4 to 8, 12 and 16 min on subsequent days. Each minute of stimulation was followed by 15 s of rest to check coil position and allow the patient to move, if necessary. Both patients and symptom raters were unaware of the treatment condition. Patients' hallucination scores improved from baseline with both real and sham TMS, and there was no significant difference between real and sham treatments. There was a trend for second treatments, whether sham or real, to be more effective than first treatments. Other psychopathology scales (apart from positive symptoms) and verbal memory were not affected by real or sham TMS. Previous positive studies could not be replicated with these parameters. TMS is safe if applied within the protocol used.     

Individualized rTMS neuronavigated according to regional brain metabolism (18FGD PET) has better treatment effects on auditory hallucinations than standard positioning of rTMS: a double-blind, sham-controlled study

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) of the left temporo-parietal cortex (LTPC) has been proposed as a useful therapeutic method for auditory hallucinations (AHs). Stereotactic neuronavigation enables the magnetic coil to be targeted according to the individual parameters obtained from neuroimaging. Individualized rTMS neuronavigated according to 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸FDG PET) allows us to focus the coil explicitly on a given area with detected maxima of specific abnormalities, thus presuming a higher therapeutic effect of the method. The objective of this study is to test clinical efficacy of neuronavigated LF-rTMS administered according to the local maxima of ¹⁸FDG PET uptake of LTPC and to compare it with treatment effects of standard and sham rTMS. In a double-blind, sham-controlled design, patients with AHs underwent a 10-day series of LF-rTMS using (1) ¹⁸FDG PET-guided “neuronavigation,” (2) “standard” anatomically guided positioning, and (3) sham coil. The effect of different rTMS conditions was assessed by the Auditory Hallucinations Rating Scale (AHRS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Fifteen patients were randomized to a treatment sequence and ten of them completed all three treatment conditions. The intention-to-treat analysis of AHRS score change revealed superiority of the ¹⁸FDG PET-guided rTMS over both the standard and the sham rTMS. The analyses of the PANSS scores failed to detect significant difference among the treatments. Our data showed acute efficacy of ¹⁸FDG PET-guided rTMS in the treatment of AHs. Neuronavigated rTMS was found to be more effective than standard, anatomically guided rTMS.     

Treating auditory hallucinations by transcranial magnetic stimulation: a randomized controlled cross-over trial

BACKGROUND: In a previous functional magnetic resonance imaging study, the authors succeeded in demonstrating the activation of Heschl's gyrus during auditory hallucinations (AH). OBJECTIVES: This study aims to treat AH specifically by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). METHODS: 16 patients with AH were included in a randomized, cross-over, sham-controlled trial. 1 Hz rTMS was administered over the left and right temporo-parietal cortex and sham position, respectively, on 5 consecutive days; 900 stimuli each, strength 100% of motor threshold. Using the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS), the hallucinations during the stimulation periods and 4-week follow-ups were quantified. Electroencephalograms (EEG) were acquired before and after each period. RESULTS: Treatment responses were observed after left hemisphere rTMS only. The 5 patients who showed a response did so already after 2 days. However, group mean hallucination scores did not differ across treatment conditions. No significant changes were found in EEG after rTMS. CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of patients suffering from AH benefits soon after treatment start from rTMS over the left superior temporal gyrus as revealed by the decrease of AH scores compared to right-sided and sham procedures.     

Cortical activity associated with auditory hallucinations

Auditory hallucinations are one the most enigmatic and hampering symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Non-invasive functional imaging techniques have begun to delineate the underlying neuronal basis. We investigated the spontaneous magnetoencephalographic activity in a 33-year-old male schizophrenic patient and compared the results to those obtained from 13 healthy controls. Despite current neuroleptic medication (clozapine) the patient was still suffering from auditory hallucinations. Using the dipole density method, we were able to demonstrate an increase of fast MEG activity (12.5-30 Hz) in the left auditory cortex associated with hallucinations. This activity was absent in healthy controls. We conclude that an increase in fast MEG activity in the auditory cortex is a neurophysiologic correlate for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia.