Persisting visual hallucinations and illusions in previously drug-addicted patients

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_BA790DFB3B76
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Case report (case report): feedback on an observation with a short commentary.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Persisting visual hallucinations and illusions in previously drug-addicted patients
Journal
Klinische Monatsblatter fur Augenheilkunde
Author(s)
Gaillard  M. C., Borruat  F. X.
ISSN
0023-2165 (Print)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
03/2003
Volume
220
Number
3
Pages
176-8
Notes
Case Reports
Journal Article --- Old month value: Mar
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are psychomimetic agents that induce impairment of sensory perception. Illusions and hallucinations are mostly visual. Most frequently the visual phenomena occur in conjunction with drug abuse. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three previously drug-addicted patients were examined for either persisting or spontaneously recurrent visual phenomena. Two patients complained of persisting visual illusions (vibrations, dyskinetopsia and impaired depth perception) during more than 12 months after an excessive use of cannabis. The third patient was a multiple drug abuser (LSD for 6 years) and complained of visual hallucinations and palinopsia following heavy ethanol intake, 20 years after stopping the use of any drug. RESULTS: Results from neuro-ophthalmic and neurological examinations were normal for the first two patients. The third patient presented abnormal visual fields with preserved visual acuity; electroencephalography was abnormal, suggesting an underlying toxic encephalopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent visual illusions or hallucinations can occur during several months after an intake of cannabis. Flash-back phenomena are frequent amongst LSD abusers. They rarely occur at long times after the last intake (20 years in the present case); when they do so, precipitating factors are often present (ethanol, medication, anesthesia). Such phenomena reflect the cortical dysfunctions that can be induced by illegal substances.
Keywords
Adolescent Adult Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects Chronic Disease Female Follow-Up Studies Hallucinations/*chemically induced/diagnosis Hallucinogens/*adverse effects Humans Lysergic Acid Diethylamide/*adverse effects Male Marijuana Abuse/*complications/rehabilitation Optical Illusions/*drug effects Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/*diagnosis Substance-Related Disorders/*complications/rehabilitation Tetrahydrocannabinol/*adverse effects
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
28/01/2008 12:38
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:28
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