The interhemispheric miscommunication theory of auditory verbal hallucinations
A key theme in my research is to study the role of interhemispheric communication in auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). AVH are hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia and have been linked to abnormal activation, connectivity and integration within the auditory, language, and resting state networks (i.e., DMN and CEN). The interhemispheric miscommunication theory of AVH is based on a steadily growing number of studies using a variety of modalities (EEG, fMRI, dMRI) reporting that both altered integrity of the interhemispheric auditory fiber tracts and disturbed functional gamma-band synchrony between right and left auditory cortices significantly contribute to abnormal auditory processing and the emergence of AVH. Moreover, initial studies using pharmacological EEG and 1H-MR spectroscopy provided first insights into the underlying neurochemistry of AVH. We were able to show that the observed interhemispheric gamma-band alterations are mediated by an excitatory-to-inhibitory (E/I) imbalance due to dysfunction of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) using ketamine. In support, a potential NMDAR hypofunction is proposed to be compensated by increased levels of glutamate in prefrontal and auditory brain areas. We are currently extending our approach to study individuals suffering from AVH and a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. We are looking for shared and/or distinct anomalies of EEG pattern. Our aim is to decipher if AVH is its own phenomenon with a specific pathological fingerprint rather than a symptom of a specific disorder. Finally, using neurofeedback and neurstimulation (i.e., tACS) we aim to develop a novel, safe and effective therapeutic strategy based on rigorous neurimaging findings. The team inlcudes Gregor Leicht, Magali Madkaud, Stephanie Kellner as well as Sarah Biedermann at the UKE, Hamburg, Germany.
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Mulert C (2019). The interhemispheric miscommunication theory of auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia. Int J Psychophysiology 145:83-80
Steinmann S, Amselberg R, Cheng B, Thomalla G, Engel AK, Leicht G, Mulert C (2018). The role of functional and structural interhemispheric connectivity for language lateralization. Sci Rep, 8(1): 15428
Steinmann S*, Meier J*, Nolte G, Engel A, Leicht G, Mulert C (2018). The callosal relay model of interhemispheric communication: New evidence from effective connectivity analysis. Brain Top 31(2):227
Thiebes S, Steinmann S, Curic S, Polomac N, Andreou C, Eichler I, Eichler L, Zöllner C, Gallinat J, Leicht G, Mulert C (2018). Alterations in interhemispheric gamma-band connectivity are related to the emergence of auditory verbal hallucinations in healthy subjects during NMDA-receptor blockade. Neuropsychopharmacology 43(7):1608–1615
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Andreou C, Polomac N, Lambert M, Mulert C (2017). Auditory verbal hallucinations related to altered long-range gamma synchrony. Sci Rep 21;7(1):8401
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Ertl M, Andreou C, Polomac N, Westerhausen R, Friederici AD, Mulert C (2014). Conscious auditory perception related to long-range synchrony of gamma oscillations. Neuroimage 100:435–443
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Mulert C (2014). Interhemispheric auditory connectivity: structure and function related to auditory verbal hallucinations. Frontiers of human Neuroscience 11;8:55
Steinmann S, & Mulert C (2012). Functional relevance of interhemispheric fiber tracts in speech processing. Journal of Neurolinguistics 25(1):1-12
The interhemispheric miscommunication theory of auditory verbal hallucinations
A key theme in my research is to study the role of interhemispheric communication in auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). AVH are hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia and have been linked to abnormal activation, connectivity and integration within the auditory, language, and resting state networks (i.e., DMN and CEN). The interhemispheric miscommunication theory of AVH is based on a steadily growing number of studies using a variety of modalities (EEG, fMRI, dMRI) reporting that both altered integrity of the interhemispheric auditory fiber tracts and disturbed functional gamma-band synchrony between right and left auditory cortices significantly contribute to abnormal auditory processing and the emergence of AVH. Moreover, initial studies using pharmacological EEG and 1H-MR spectroscopy provided first insights into the underlying neurochemistry of AVH. We were able to show that the observed interhemispheric gamma-band alterations are mediated by an excitatory-to-inhibitory (E/I) imbalance due to dysfunction of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) using ketamine. In support, a potential NMDAR hypofunction is proposed to be compensated by increased levels of glutamate in prefrontal and auditory brain areas. We are currently extending our approach to study individuals suffering from AVH and a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. We are looking for shared and/or distinct anomalies of EEG pattern. Our aim is to decipher if AVH is its own phenomenon with a specific pathological fingerprint rather than a symptom of a specific disorder. Finally, using neurofeedback and neurstimulation (i.e., tACS) we aim to develop a novel, safe and effective therapeutic strategy based on rigorous neurimaging findings. The team inlcudes Gregor Leicht, Magali Madkaud, Stephanie Kellner as well as Sarah Biedermann at the UKE, Hamburg, Germany.
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Mulert C (2019). The interhemispheric miscommunication theory of auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia. Int J Psychophysiology 145:83-80
Steinmann S, Amselberg R, Cheng B, Thomalla G, Engel AK, Leicht G, Mulert C (2018). The role of functional and structural interhemispheric connectivity for language lateralization. Sci Rep, 8(1): 15428
Steinmann S*, Meier J*, Nolte G, Engel A, Leicht G, Mulert C (2018). The callosal relay model of interhemispheric communication: New evidence from effective connectivity analysis. Brain Top 31(2):227
Thiebes S, Steinmann S, Curic S, Polomac N, Andreou C, Eichler I, Eichler L, Zöllner C, Gallinat J, Leicht G, Mulert C (2018). Alterations in interhemispheric gamma-band connectivity are related to the emergence of auditory verbal hallucinations in healthy subjects during NMDA-receptor blockade. Neuropsychopharmacology 43(7):1608–1615
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Andreou C, Polomac N, Lambert M, Mulert C (2017). Auditory verbal hallucinations related to altered long-range gamma synchrony. Sci Rep 21;7(1):8401
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Ertl M, Andreou C, Polomac N, Westerhausen R, Friederici AD, Mulert C (2014). Conscious auditory perception related to long-range synchrony of gamma oscillations. Neuroimage 100:435–443
Steinmann S, Leicht G, Mulert C (2014). Interhemispheric auditory connectivity: structure and function related to auditory verbal hallucinations. Frontiers of human Neuroscience 11;8:55
Steinmann S, & Mulert C (2012). Functional relevance of interhemispheric fiber tracts in speech processing. Journal of Neurolinguistics 25(1):1-12