A neural basis for the perception of voices in external auditory space
Open accessAbstract
We used functional imaging of normal subjects to identify the neural substrate for the perception of voices in external auditory space. This fundamental process can be abnormal in psychosis, when voices that are not true external auditory objects (auditory verbal hallucinations) may appear to originate in external space. The perception of voices as objects in external space depends on filtering by the outer ear. Psychoses that distort this process involve the cerebral cortex. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was carried out on 12 normal subjects using an inside-the-scanner simulation of 'inside head' and 'outside head' voices in the form of typical auditory verbal hallucinations. Comparison between the brain activity associated with the two conditions allowed us to test the hypothesis that the perception of voices in external space ('outside head') is subserved by a temperoparietal network comprising association auditory cortex posterior to Heschl's gyrus [planum temporale (PT)] and inferior parietal lobule. Group analyses of response to 'outside head' versus 'inside head' voices showed significant activation solely in the left PT. This was demonstrated in three experiments in which the predominant lateralization of the stimulus was to the right, to the left or balanced. These findings suggest a critical involvement of the left PT in the perception of voices in external space that is not dependent on precise spatial location. Based on this, we suggest a model for the false perception of externally located auditory verbal hallucinations.
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The left planum temporale, an area within the left superior temporal gyrus, is involved specifically in the perception of externally located speech.
“the left planum temporale, an area within the left STG, has been shown to be involved specifically in the perception of externally located speech (Hunter et al., 2002)”
From Auditory verbal hallucinations as atypical inner speech monitoring, and the potential of neurostimulation as a treatment option (2013) · cites this paper as Hunter et al., 2002
Hallucinations are underpinned by intrinsic brain signals in sensory cortices, which also subserve the sense that those perceptions arise from external space.
“A large body of neuroimaging research shows that hallucinations are underpinned by intrinsic brain signals in sensory cortices, 36-38 also subserving the sense that those perceptions arise from external space. 39”
From Towards an Integrative Account of Potential Mechanisms Mediating the Path From Sleep Dysfunction to Hallucinations (2025) · cites this paper as [39]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Hunter, M. D., Griffiths, T. D., Farrow, T. F. D., Zheng, Y., Wilkinson, I. D., Hegde, N., Woods, W., Spence, S. A., & Woodruff, P. W. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Sheffield (GB)
- Newcastle University (GB)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Brain
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2003-01-01
- Volume
- 126
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 161-169
- ISSN
- 0006-8950 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2156
- OpenAlex
- W1970989708
- Cited by
- 85
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.84
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Brain (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
- Funders
- Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
- Wellcome Trust
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hallucinations in medical conditions
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Music Perception
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Keywords
- auditory verbal hallucinations, voice perception, planum temporale, inferior parietal lobule, psychosis, auditory cortex, hemispheric lateralization
- MeSH terms
- Acoustics, Adult, Female, Hallucinations, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Psychophysics, Reference Values, Schizophrenic Psychology, Speech Perception, Temporal Lobe
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