Suppression of complex visual hallucinatory experiences by occipital transcranial magnetic stimulation: a case report

Neurocase. 2003 Oct;9(5):436-40. doi: 10.1076/neur.9.5.436.16557.

Abstract

Abstract We report a patient with visual hallucinations and illusions along with an associated visual field defect after bilateral ischemic damage to his occipital visual cortex. These hallucinations were long-standing and of both simple and complex (well-formed) type. Application of low frequency (1 Hz) repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to the occipital cortex led to a complete cessation of visual hallucinatory symptoms. The use of TMS to probe the neurophysiology, and possibly alleviate, visual hallucinatory experiences is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Mapping
  • Electric Stimulation / methods*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods
  • Hallucinations / etiology
  • Hallucinations / physiopathology
  • Hallucinations / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / complications
  • Ischemia / therapy
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurophysiology
  • Occipital Lobe / radiation effects*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*
  • Visual Fields / physiology