Idiopathic musical hallucinations in the elderly

Author(s): Cole, M. G.

Journal/Book: J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1997; 10: 11-4.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the phenomenology and treatment of idiopathic musical hallucinations in the elderly by reviewing all relevant case reports. A systematic literature search yielded 32 case reports that met the following four inclusion criteria: (1) published in English, French, or Italian; (2) cases aged 65 years of age or older; (3) absence of major focal neurologic disease; and (4) absence of drug toxicity. Information was subsequently abstracted from each case reported and tabulated. Idiopathic musical hallucinations in the elderly occurred predominantly in females who had a hearing impairment, one third of whom were depressed. Treatment of depressed patients with antidepressants and nondepressed patients with anticonvulsants/anxiolytics seemed to result in improvement of many cases.

Note: Department of Family Medicine St. Mary's Hospital Center McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada.

Keyword(s): Dementia, Senile|DI/DT/PX. Hallucinations|DI/DT/PX. Music|

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