Unnatural practices, unspeakable actions: A study of delayed auditory feedback in schizophrenia

Author(s): Gold, J. M., Coppola, R., Weinberger, D. R.

Journal/Book: Am J Psychiatry. 1997; 154: 1400 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005. Amer Psychiatric Association. 858-860.

Abstract: Objective: It has been suggested that auditory hallucinations and delusions of control in persons with schizophrenia could involve a disconnection between an ''intention center'' and a ''monitoring center.'' Method: To test this model directly, the authors used a delayed auditory feedback paradigm in which the subject hears his or her own speech delayed electronically by a fraction of a second. In normal subjects this produces dysfluency, which is thought to occur because an expectancy about the perceptual arrival of speech, formed in a monitoring center on the basis of corollary discharge from an intention center, is violated. If, however, a disconnection were present in schizophrenia, such an expectancy would not be formed; hence, less dysfluency should occur. Fifteen patients with chronic schizophrenia (10 of whom experienced auditory hallucinations and/or delusions of control) and 19 normal subjects were studied. Results: Rather than exhibiting less dysfluency than the normal subjects, patients with delusions and/or hallucinations exhibited significantly more dysfluency. Conclusions: These results do not support a cognitive model a disconnection.

Note: Article Goldberg TE, St Elizabeth Hosp, NIMH, Ctr Neurosci, Intramural Res Program, Clin Brain Disorders Branch, Washington,DC 20032 USA

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