Visual Hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease

This lecture explores the occurrence of visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, focusing on the common descriptions of seeing people or animals, the Bayesian framework for understanding hallucinations, and the over-weighting of visual priors. Dr. Rimona Weil presents recent research on the mechanisms behind visual hallucinations and why they are more prevalent in Parkinson's disease compared to other neurological conditions. The lecture delves into the role of neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine, the impact of medications, and the potential treatments for managing hallucinations. Additionally, the lecture discusses the interplay between incoming visual information and top-down expectations, as well as the changes in attentional networks and brain connectivity related to hallucinations.