Auditory Hallucinations Research Articles

Co-occurrence of PRKN and SYNJ1 variants in Early-Onset Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease globally, with a fast-growing prevalence. The etiology of PD exhibits a multifactorial complex nature and remains challenging. Herein, we described clinical, molecular, and integrative bioinformatics findings from a Brazilian female affected by Early-Onset PD (EOPD) harboring a recurrent homozygous pathogenic deletion in the parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase gene (PRKN; NM_004562.3:c.155delA; p.Asn52Metfs*29; rs754809877), along with a novel heterozygous variant in the synaptojanin 1 gene (SYNJ1; NM_003895.3:c.62G > T; p.Cys21Phe; rs1486511197) found by Whole Exome Sequencing. Uncommon or unreported PRKN-related clinical features in the patient include cognitive decline, auditory and visual hallucinations, REM sleep disorder, and depression, previously observed in SYNJ1-related conditions. Moreover, PRKN interacts with endophilin A1, which is a major binding partner of SYNJ1. This protein plays a pivotal role in regulating the dynamics of synaptic vesicles, particularly in the context of endocytosis and recycling processes. Altogether, our comprehensive analyses underscore a potential synergistic effect between the PRKN and SYNJ1 variants over the pathogenesis of EOPD.

Altered temporal lobe connectivity is associated with psychotic symptoms in drug-naïve adolescent patients with first-episode schizophrenia.

Research on individuals with a younger onset age of schizophrenia is important for identifying neurobiological processes derived from the interaction of genes and the environment that lead to the manifestation of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia has long been recognized as a disorder of dysconnectivity, but it is largely unknown how brain connectivity changes are associated with psychotic symptoms. Twenty-one adolescent-onset schizophrenia (AOS) patients and 21 matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was used to investigate local brain connectivity alterations in AOS. Regions with significant ReHo changes in patients were selected as "seeds" for further functional connectivity (FC) analysis and Granger causality analysis (GCA), and associations of the obtained functional brain measures with psychotic symptoms in patients with AOS were examined. Compared with HCs, AOS patients showed significantly increased ReHo in the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), which was positively correlated with PANSS-positive scores, PSYRATS-delusion scores and auditory hallucination scores. With the MTG as the seed, lower connectivity with the bilateral postcentral gyrus (PCG) and higher connectivity with the right precuneus were observed in patients. The reduced FC between the right MTG and bilateral PCG was significantly and positively correlated with hallucination scores. GCA indicated decreased Granger causality from the right MTG to the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and from the right MFG to the right MTG in AOS patients, but such effects did not significantly associate with psychotic symptoms. Abnormalities in the connectivity within the MTG and its connectivity with other networks were identified and were significantly correlated with hallucination and delusion ratings. This region may be a key neural substrate of psychotic symptoms in AOS.

Neuropsychiatric Symptom Profile in Alzheimer's Disease and Their Relationship With Functional Decline

ObjectiveUnderstanding the course of individual neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and their relationship with function is important for planning targeted interventions for preventing and delaying functional decline. This study aims to disentangle relative contributions of individual NPS on functional decline. MethodsLongitudinal study of 9,358 well-characterized participants with baseline diagnoses of Mild Cognitive Impairment or AD in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set. Function was measured using the Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ). Clinician judgment of seven common behavioral symptoms were examined simultaneously: apathy-withdrawal, depressed mood, visual or auditory hallucinations, delusions, disinhibition, irritability, and agitation. ResultsApathy was the most common NPS at baseline (33.7%) and throughout follow-up, endorsed by clinicians in 63.7% of visits. Apathy was the most persistent with 36.7% of participants having clinician-endorsed apathy in ≥50% of their visits. Apathy strongly correlated with faster rate of functional decline. Compared to those who never had apathy, baseline FAQ was worse in those with intermittent or persistent/always apathy (intermittent: estimated coefficient ±SE=1.228±0.210, 95% CI=[0.817, 1.639]; persistent/always: 2.354±0.244 (95% CI=[1.876, 2.832], both p <0.001). Over time, rate of functional decline was faster in those with intermittent and persistent/always apathy (intermittent: 0.454±0.091, 95% CI=[0.276, 0.632]; persistent/always: 0.635±0.102, 95% CI=[0.436, 0.835], both p <0.001). Worse agitation, delusions, and hallucinations also correlated with functional decline, but magnitudes of the estimates were smaller. ConclusionIndividual NPS may be sensitive targets for tracking longitudinal change in function. The study raises awareness of the need for more comprehensive assessment of functional decline in AD patients with noncognitive symptoms.

Functional Connectivity of the Auditory Cortex in Women With Trauma-Related Disorders Who Hear Voices

BackgroundVoice hearing (VH) is a transdiagnostic experience that is common in trauma-related disorders. However, the neural substrates that underlie trauma-related VH remain largely unexplored. While auditory perceptual dysfunction is among the abnormalities implicated in VH in schizophrenia, whether VH in trauma-related disorders also involves auditory perceptual alterations is unknown. MethodsWe investigated auditory cortex (AC)–related functional connectivity (FC) in 65 women with trauma-related disorders stemming from childhood abuse with varying severities of VH. Using a novel, computationally driven and individual-specific method of functionally parcellating the brain, we calculated the FC of 2 distinct AC subregions—Heschl’s gyrus (corresponding to the primary AC) and lateral superior temporal gyrus (in the nonprimary AC)—with both the cerebrum and cerebellum. Then, we measured the association between VH severity and FC using leave-one-out cross-validation in the cerebrum and voxelwise multiple regression analyses in the cerebellum. ResultsWe found that VH severity was positively correlated with left lateral superior temporal gyrus–frontoparietal network FC, while it was negatively correlated with FC between the left lateral superior temporal gyrus and both cerebral and cerebellar representations of the default mode network. VH severity was not predicted by FC of the left Heschl’s gyrus or right AC subregions. ConclusionsOur findings point to altered interactions between auditory perceptual processing and higher-level processes related to self-reference and executive functioning. This is the first study to show alterations in auditory cortical connectivity in trauma-related VH. While VH in trauma-related disorders appears to be mediated by brain networks that are also implicated in VH in schizophrenia, the results suggest a unique mechanism that could distinguish VH in trauma-related disorders.

Virtual Reality-Based Simulated Hallucinations to Enhance Empathy Toward Individuals With Schizophrenia.

Individuals affected by schizophrenia often relay frustration that persons in their life are unable to understand their symptoms. We sought to examine whether a brief virtual reality (VR) experience for students in an undergraduate psychopathology course entailing simulated hallucinations could increase empathy, decrease negative affect, and positively affect attitudes toward persons with schizophrenia. After the unit on schizophrenia, 41 participants engaged in a VR experience with simulated auditory and visual hallucinations. We sought to maximize fidelity and immersion by incorporating the actual classroom and course instructor into the virtual world. By collecting data at multiple points, we were able to isolate the impact of the simulation on affect and attitudes. Participants experienced an increase in empathy and favorable attitudes toward individuals with schizophrenia and reported the simulation to be highly educational. The favorable results are notable given the brevity of the simulation and the absence of any explicit (declarative) knowledge being conveyed.

The Role of Verbal Auditory Hallucinations in Influencing and Retrospectively Predicting Physical Harm Prevalence in Early Psychosis.

Research has established a relationship between psychosis and physical harm in the early course of psychosis. However, little is known about the relationship between specific psychosis symptoms, such as hearing voices, and physical harm. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and typology of physical harm related to hearing voices, as well as what aspects of the voice-hearing experience retrospectively predicted incidents of harm within an Early Intervention in Psychosis Service (EIPS). We conducted a quality improvement project in a single EIPS. We reviewed case notes of patients and extracted information on the cognitive-phenomenological features of the voices patients heard, as well as any incidents of physical harm that were causally linked to these voices. It was found that 32.2% of EI patients had an actual incident of physical harm in their case notes that was causally linked to hearing voices. The most common type of physical harm was neglect. In terms of cognitive phenomenological binary correlations that retrospectively predicted physical harm in the case notes, patients were 20 and 7 times more likely to have harmed themselves if they heard self-harm commands (i.e., directions to harm themselves physically) and perceived the voice as omnipotent, respectively. Patients were 6 times more likely to have harmed someone else if they heard violent commands. Verbal auditory hallucinations commonly influence physical harm in the early course of psychosis. Hearing commands and/or believing the voice to be omnipotent are strong retrospective-correlative predictors that may aid in the assessment and therapeutic intervention.

Voice Disorders and Hearing Loss May Be Additive Risk Factors for Depression in a National Cohort.

Hearing loss (HL) (receptive communication impairment) is a known risk factor for depression. However, dysphonia (expressive communication impairment), has received little study. We study HL, self-reported voice disorder, and combined impairment as risk factors for depression in a large national cohort. This was a cross-sectional epidemiologic study. Data were analyzed from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) cycles 2008-2012 and 2019-2020. KNHANES uniquely contains both audiometry and voice disorder data. HL (yes/no) was defined as ≥25 dB pure tone average. Voice disorder (yes/no) was defined by self-report. Depression (yes/no) was defined by physician diagnosis. Odds ratios for depression were calculated using multivariable logistic regressions with HL and voice disorder. 8,524 individuals aged 19 to 80 years old had complete data. The mean age was 57.3 years (SD = 13.4) and 64% were women. All regressions were controlled for age and sex. Those with HL, versus those without, had 1.27 times the odds (95% CI = 1.07-1.52, p = 0.007) of depression. Those with self-reported voice disorder, versus those without, had 1.48 times the odds (1.22-1.78, p < 0.001) of depression. Those with HL and self-reported voice disorder, versus those with neither, had 1.79 times the odds (1.27-2.48, p < 0.001) of depression. This study demonstrates independent relationships between HL and depression and self-reported voice disorder and depression. Combined HL and self-reported voice disorder had nearly 1.8 times the odds of depression. This is likely due to the grossly additive effect of difficulty with incoming and outgoing communication streams. II Laryngoscope, 134:4060-4065, 2024.

Grey matter volume reduction in the frontotemporal cortex associated with persistent verbal auditory hallucinations in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia: Insights from a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging study

BackgroundPersistent auditory verbal hallucinations (pAVHs) are a fundamental manifestation of schizophrenia (SCZ), yet the exact connection between pAVHs and brain structure remains contentious. This study aims to explore the potential correlation between pAVHs and alterations in grey matter volume (GMV) within specific brain regions among individuals diagnosed with SCZ. Methods76 SCZ patients with pAVHs (pAVH group), 57 SCZ patients without AVHs (non-AVH group), and 83 healthy controls (HC group) were investigated using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging. The P3 hallucination item of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to assess the severity of pAVHs. Voxel-based morphometry was used to analyze the GMV profile between the three groups. ResultsCompared to the non-AVH and HC groups, the pAVH group exhibited extensive reduction in GMV within the frontotemporal cortex. Conversely, no significant difference in GMV was observed between the non-AVH and HC groups. The severity of pAVHs showed a negative correlation with GMV in several regions, including the right fusiform, right inferior temporal, right medial orbitofrontal, right superior frontal, and right temporal pole (p = 0.0036, Bonferroni correction). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that GMV in the right temporal pole (β = −0.29, p = 0.001) and right fusiform (β = −0.21, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with the severity of pAVHs. ConclusionsWidespread reduction in GMV is observed within the frontotemporal cortex, particularly involving the right temporal pole and right fusiform, which potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of pAVHs in individuals with chronic SCZ.

Empathy Amplified: Exploring the Transformative Potential of Understanding Auditory Hallucinations Through Staff Training.

Stigmatization of individuals diagnosed with psychosis, especially those who experience auditory hallucinations, is a well-documented issue with negative outcomes on provision of care. Existing research has predominantly concentrated on experiential training for students, leaving a significant gap in knowledge regarding the training's impact on practicing psychiatric nurses and technicians. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the efficacy of a concise, 1-hour educational activity designed to improve empathy, confidence, competence, and knowledge in psychiatric professionals. Participants engaged in a 1-hour training session that included simulated activities while listening to distressing voices and completed pretraining and posttraining assessments. Results demonstrated a notable increase in empathy toward individuals who hear voices, suggesting that the training had a positive effect. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in the participants' perceptions of the level of difficulty as well as increased levels of confidence and perceived competence in their ability to provide care. The results underscore the practicality and effectiveness of brief hearing voices simulations as a means to enhance the skills of existing health care providers. This approach allows professionals to better express empathy and gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of voice hearers.

Hearing Voices Sessions in Providing Peer Support: A First-Person Account and Voice Hearer's Perspective.

Hearing Voices Sessions in Providing Peer Support: A First-Person Account and Voice Hearer's Perspective.

Unveiling the Role of the Globus Pallidus in Schizophrenia: A Case Report and Neuroimaging Study

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by anomalies in thought, perception, and behavior. Despite advancements in pharmaceutical treatments, managing the disorder remains challenging. Recent research has focused on understanding its biological basis, with particular attention to subcortical structures like the basal ganglia and thalamus, including the globus pallidus. Anomalies in the globus pallidus have been associated with various neurological and psychiatric conditions, showcasing its importance in schizophrenia. However, studies specifically examining abnormalities within the globus pallidus in schizophrenia are limited. In this case report we present the case of a 22-year-old male, Mr. A, diagnosed with schizophrenia. Mr. A exhibited auditory hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and disorganized behavior. Neurological examinations and laboratory tests ruled out underlying medical causes, prompting further investigation with neuroimaging studies. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral and symmetrical signal anomalies in the posterior part of the globus pallidus, consistent with previous research implicating the basal ganglia in schizophrenia.

FBXO11 variants are associated with intellectual disability and variable clinical manifestation in Chinese affected individuals.

F-box protein 11 (FBXO11) is a member of F-Box protein family, which has recently been proved to be associated with intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and behavioral abnormalities (IDDFBA, OMIM: 618089). In this study, 12 intellectual disability individuals from 5 Chinese ID families were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES), sanger sequencing, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were conducted. Almost all the affected individuals presented with mild to severe intellectual disability (12/12), global developmental delay (10/12), speech and language development delay (8/12) associated with a range of alternate features including increased body weight (7/12), short stature (6/12), seizures (3/12), reduced visual acuity (4/12), hypotonia (1/12), and auditory hallucinations and hallucinations (1/12). Distinguishingly, malformation was not observed in all the affected individuals. WES analysis showed 5 novel FBXO11 variants, which include an inframe deletion variant, a missense variant, two frameshift variants, and a partial deletion of FBXO11 (exon 22-23). RNA-seq indicated that exon 22-23 deletion of FBXO11 results in a new mRNA structure. Conservation and protein structure prediction demonstrated deleterious effect of these variants. The DEGs analysis revealed 148 differentially expressed genes shared among 6 affected individuals, which were mainly associated with genes of muscle and immune system. Our research is the first report of FBXO11-associated IDDFBA in Chinese individuals, which expands the genetic and clinical spectrum of this newly identified NDD/ID syndrome.

The benefits of hearing voices groups: more findings from a US national study

ABSTRACT Background Hearing voices peer-support groups (HVGs) are spreading widely as an alternative or supplement to standard psychiatric treatments for the distress that can accompany unshared perceptions or extreme states. Yet although people in dozens of countries clearly find HVGs useful, their precise mechanisms of action and distinctive benefits are not fully understood. Analyzing the effectiveness of these groups is increasingly important as mental health resources stretch to the breaking point in many parts of the world. Methods Using an inductive phenomenological method, our collaborative team of voice-hearers and researchers analyzed the experiences of 119 HVG members in the US, who provided detailed voice hearing histories and accounts of group participation. Results Results indicated that HVGs offer four distinct types of benefits, affording members an opportunity to: (1) examine the voice hearing experience in itself; (2) discern the meanings of voices and explore them within a biographical context; (3) receive validation for cultural or spiritual ways of understanding voices; and (4) develop a sense of shared experience and camaraderie with other voice-hearers. Discussion These participant-defined benefits are quite different from standard outcome measures, suggesting new avenues for research to understand the diverse appeal of HVGs

Capgras syndrome in children and adolescents: A systematic review

ObjectivesTo improve understanding of Capgras syndrome (CS) in the pediatric population, this study investigates its clinical features and discerns similarities and differences compared to CS in adults. MethodsWe conducted a descriptive systematic review of case reports following PRISMA guidelines, including cases of pediatric patients with CS. Patient demographics, medical and psychiatric history, imposter identity, underlying diagnosis, clinical manifestation, treatments, and outcomes were extracted and analyzed. ResultsWe included 37 articles comprising 38 cases. The median age of patients was 15, with 23 (60.5%) being male. The most prevalent underlying diagnoses were schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (47.3%). Imposter identity involved parents in 32 cases (84.2%). Associated symptoms included persecutory delusions (63.1%), auditory hallucinations (42.1%), aggression (31.5%), and depression (21.0%). ConclusionThere is a significant gap in our understanding of CS, particularly in pediatric patients. This is the first systematic review of CS in pediatric patients, encompassing all cases found in English literature since 1923.

Group Cohesion and Necessary Adaptations in Online Hearing Voices Peer Support Groups: Qualitative Study With Group Facilitators.

Face-to-face hearing voices peer support groups (HVGs), a survivor-led initiative that enables individuals who hear voices to engage with the support of peers, have a long-standing history in community settings. HVGs are premised on the notion that forming authentic, mutual relationships enables the exploration of one's voice hearing experiences and, in turn, reduces subjective distress. As such, group cohesion is assumed to be a central mechanism of change in HVGs. The rise of digital mental health support, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in many HVGs adapting to online delivery. However, to date no studies have examined the implementation of these online groups and the adaptations necessary to foster cohesion. This study aims to understand the experience of group cohesion among HVG facilitators in online groups compared with face-to-face groups. Specifically, we examined the ways in which the medium through which groups run (online or face-to-face) impacts group cohesion and how facilitators adapted HVGs to foster group cohesion online. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 11 facilitators with varied experience of facilitating online and face-to-face HVGs. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings are organized into 3 themes and associated subthemes: nonverbal challenges to cohesion (lack of differentiation, transitional space, inability to see the whole picture, and expressions of empathy); discursive challenges to cohesion (topic-based conversation and depth of disclosure); and necessary adaptations for online groups (fostering shared experience and using the unique context to demonstrate investment in others). Despite challenges in both the setting and content of online groups, facilitators felt that group cohesion was still possible to achieve online but that it had to be facilitated intentionally. This study is the first to specifically investigate group cohesion in online HVGs. Participants noted numerous challenges to group cohesion when adapting groups to run online, including the unnaturally linear narrative flow of dialogue in online settings; lack of transitional spaces, and associated small talk before and after the session; ease of disengagement online; inhibited sharing; and absence of shared physical presence online. Although these challenges were significant, facilitators nevertheless emphasized that the benefits provided by the accessibility of online groups outweighed these challenges. Necessary adaptations for cultivating group cohesion online are outlined and include capitalizing on moments of humor and spontaneity, using group activities, encouraging information sharing between participants using the chat and screen-sharing features, and using objects from participants' environments to gain deeper insight into their subjective worlds.

Hypoactivation of the language network during auditory imagery contributes to hallucinations in Schizophrenia

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) involve perceptions, often voices, in the absence of external stimuli, and rank among the most common symptoms of schizophrenia. Metrical stress evaluation requires determination of the stronger syllable in words, and therefore requires auditory imagery, of interest for investigation of hallucinations in schizophrenia. The current functional magnetic resonance imaging study provides an updated whole-brain network analysis of a previously published study on metrical stress, which showed reduced directed connections between Broca's and Wernicke's regions of interest (ROIs) for hallucinations. Three functional brain networks were extracted, with the language network (LN) showing an earlier and shallower blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) response for hallucinating patients, in the auditory imagery condition only (the reduced activation for hallucinations observed in the original ROI-based results were not specific to the imagery condition). This suggests that hypoactivation of the LN during internal auditory imagery may contribute to the propensity to hallucinate. This accords with cognitive accounts holding that an impaired balance between internal and external linguistic processes (underactivity in networks involved in internal auditory imagery and overactivity in networks involved in speech perception) contributes to our understanding of the biological underpinnings of hallucinations.

Tactile hallucination triggered by auditory hallucination - A new phenomenon.

Tactile hallucination triggered by auditory hallucination - A new phenomenon.

Psychose et suicide : comment se développent-ils conjointement ? Une revue narrative

ObjectivesPersons with psychosis are up to 20 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the association between psychosis and suicide remain poorly understood. This narrative review aimed to describe the mechanisms that have been explored in the literature to explain this association. Materials and methodsA narrative review was conducted in Pubmed and Google Scholar in January 2024 using keywords related to psychosis and suicide. The keywords used for psychosis were: “psychosis”, “psychotic”, “psychotic symptoms”, “psychotic experiences”, “psychotic-like experiences”, “delusions”, “hallucinations”; and for suicide: “suicid*”. Additional keywords were used in Google Scholar to refine the search: “association” OR “mechanisms” OR “pathways” OR “risk factors”. References of selected articles were consulted. The results of the studies have been organized according to the four hypothesized mechanisms explored in the literature. ResultsThe four hypotheses explored in the literature were: (1) causal link from psychosis to suicidality, (2) causal link from suicidality to psychosis or bidirectional link, (3) shared risk factors for psychosis and suicidality, (4) indirect link between psychosis and suicidality. In general, studies show that across the continuum of psychosis (from psychotic experiences to schizophrenia spectrum disorders), psychosis symptoms, especially auditory hallucinations and delusions, increase the risk of suicide thoughts and behaviors. Certain factors emerged as being particularly important in understanding the association between psychosis and suicide, whether as confounders or mediators, such as cognitive skills, traumatic events, psychological distress, depressive symptoms and substance use disorder. Recent evidence seems to support the existence of a bidirectional association between psychosis and suicide risk. Discussion and conclusionEach hypothesis has been explored and supported by at least a few studies, suggesting that the mechanisms underlying the association between psychosis and suicide are potentially multiple and multifactorial. Identifying persons at risk of psychosis among those presenting suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as implementing early suicide prevention strategies among persons with psychosis symptoms, could respectively contribute to delaying/preventing the frank onset of a mental health disorder and reduce the risk of suicide. Further, suicide risk assessment and prevention in individuals with psychosis should take into account factors that have emerged as being important in the association between these two phenomena. In order to improve our understanding of the association between psychosis and suicide risk, several recommendations have been made for future research, such as considering the developmental stage and the stage of illness to assess potential mechanisms, and considering additional potential mediators (e.g., stigma, treatment compliance, social support, functioning and symptom severity).

435. Improvement of Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) and Auditory Hallucinations in First-Episode Schizophrenia: Preliminary Findings From a Single-Blind RCT of Auditory Control Enhancement (ACE) Therapy

435. Improvement of Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR) and Auditory Hallucinations in First-Episode Schizophrenia: Preliminary Findings From a Single-Blind RCT of Auditory Control Enhancement (ACE) Therapy

Assessment of Voice Content for Voice Hearers: Psychometric Evaluation of the Perth Voice Content Questionnaire.

The experience of hearing voices is common to an estimated 7% of the general population, with the presence of negative content being the best predictor of whether individuals will require clinical support. Whilst largely neglected in the literature to date, there are calls to consider the significance of voice content for reducing voice-related distress. However, no quantitative and comprehensive measure of voice content with suitability for research and clinical use exists. This pilot study aimed to demonstrate preliminary psychometric properties of a newly developed measure, the Perth Voice Content Questionnaire (PVCQ), designed to measure the intensity and themes of positively and negatively valenced voice content, primarily of the dominant voice. The PVCQ and measures of voice severity and related beliefs were completed by 47 voice-hearing participants. The measure was found to be internally consistent, loaded onto two distinct factors of positive and negative content, and these factors were associated with voice-related distress and negative beliefs about voices and positive beliefs about voices, respectively, indicating good validity. The PVCQ offers the first self-report measure of voice content, with preliminary psychometric properties indicating its suitability for clinical and research use.