📢 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 PreHealth2Success is recruiting a COO and Secretary to join our team.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND SYNDROME

| December 09, 2023

We all have fond memories of movies and TV shows from our childhood, such as Alice in Wonderland. It's fascinating to see how this beloved story has given rise to a recognized syndrome.

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is a condition that causes a person to experience a distorted sense of body image. As a result, the person may perceive their body to be growing or shrinking, similar to Alice in the story after eating the magic cake. This condition is caused by a disruption in visual perception, which can cause external objects and body parts to appear to be different sizes than they are [3]. Some other symptoms of this condition may include migraines, as well as feelings of derealization and depersonalization. [1].

Although it was first recognized in 1955, only recently has this disorder gained significant medical attention due to advancements in technology that allow for more in-depth exploration of the human brain's function [1]. Recent brain imaging studies have found that it may be caused by a dysfunction in a specific brain region known as the temporoparietal-occipital junction. This junction, located at the intersection of the temporal, occipital, and parietal lobes, is responsible for combining spatial and visual information related to touch, body position, and pain. Further research has indicated that a variety of underlying factors such as epilepsy, migraines, psychotic drug use, and infectious diseases can cause this dysfunction. Additionally, it has been proven that these factors contribute to the depolarization of neurological brain waves, which causes cortical spreading depression in brain regions such as the temporoparietal-occipital junction [2].

As strange as it may sound, this disorder is more common among young children. In the fall of 2014, a 6-year-old child was examined at a hospital due to his false perception of nearby objects as farther and smaller. It was then revealed that the child experienced severe migraines in his earlier years of life, contributing to damage and dysfunction in his occipital and parietal regions [4].

With its seriousness, this disease is only present in rare cases, with about 30% of people experiencing its symptoms during childhood and adolescence. The causes of AIWS have remained unknown since its initial discovery. Its symptoms, such as migraines and seizures, can lead to an official diagnosis that may permanently affect one's perception in rare cases. Surprisingly, it is believed that AIWS may be a side effect of certain medications, including common cough and asthma medications such as dextromethorphan and montelukast. Unfortunately, there is no exact treatment for this disorder, although some psychological symptoms may decrease after talk therapy [5].

REFERENCES

Blom, J. D. (2016, June 1). Alice in wonderland syndrome. Neurology Clinical Practice. https://cp.neurology.org/content/6/3/259

Blom, J. D. (2020). Alice in wonderland syndrome. Springer.
Krall, S. C., Rottschy, C., Oberwelland, E., Bzdok, D., Fox, P. T., Eickhoff, S. B., Fink, G. R., & Konrad, K. (2015, March). The role of the right temporoparietal junction in attention and social interaction as revealed by ale meta-analysis. Brain structure & function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791048/#:~:text=The%20human%20temporoparietal%20junction%20(TPJ,and%20the%20lateral%20occipital%20cortex.
Weissenstein, A., Luchter, E., & Bittmann, M. A. S. (2014a). Alice in wonderland syndrome: A rare neurological manifestation with microscopy in a 6-year-old child. Journal of pediatric neurosciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4302569/#:~:text=Alice%20in%20wonderland%20syndrome%20(AIWS,common%20perceptions%20are%20at%20night.
Professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Alice in wonderland syndrome (AIWS): Symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24491-alice-in-wonderland-syndrome-aiws

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse