Multisensory perceptual distortion including auditory distortions in Alice in Wonderland syndrome: a case report

• Published in: Neurocase Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 46 - 49
• Main Authors: Saito, Godai, Takagi, Gen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 04.03.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: AIWS; Alice in Wonderland syndrome; auditory distortion; Case reports; Handedness; Hearing; multisensory integration; perceptual distortion; Sensory integration; Alice in Wonderland syndrome; multisensory integration; AIWS; auditory distortion; perceptual distortion
• ISSN: 1355-4794; 1465-3656; 1465-3656; 1362-4970
• DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2024.2345402

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare perceptual disorder characterized mainly by perceptual distortions of visual objects and one's own body. While there are many case reports of visual and somatosensory distortions associated with AIWS, little is known about auditory distortion. Therefore, we present the case of a 22-year-old right-handed woman who described having auditory as well as visual and somatosensory distortion experiences and a family history of AIWS. The subject reported experiencing multisensory perceptual distortions, where she sees other people's faces as larger and hears their voices as louder at the same time. This particular case suggests that auditory distortion - which contributes to constructing the perception of the surrounding space and the body - may also be characterized as a perceptual symptom of AIWS.