CHSU Discovery

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are a common symptom across multiple mental health disorders, and understanding the neural basis of AVH can help distinguish the relationships between AVH and various mental illnesses. This systematic review aims to synthesize and compare the current literature on the neural basis of AVH in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). A comprehensive search of electronic databases for relevant articles published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted. Articles included in this review reported on the background of AVH, brain imaging findings, and interventions currently used for the treatment of AVH in each condition. Results demonstrated that, compared to healthy controls, individuals with schizophrenia, BD, MDD, PTSD, and BPD exhibited various prevalence of AVH symptoms along with distinct patterns of neural alterations associated with AVH including differences in gray matter volume, white matter integrity, and functional connectivity within specific brain regions. Additionally, different interventions have been found to be promising in reducing AVH in each disorder, and further research is needed to determine the potential for more effective treatment options. This review highlights the importance of understanding the unique neural basis of AVH in various mental health conditions to facilitate the development of tailored interventions.