Predictive Processing and Some Disillusions about Illusions

A number of perceptual (exteroceptive and proprioceptive) illusions present problems for predictive processing accounts. In this chapter we’ll review explanations of the Müller-Lyer Illusion (MLI), the Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) and the Alien Hand Illusion (AHI) based on the idea of Prediction Error Minimization (PEM), and show why they fail. In spite of the relatively open communicative processes which, on many accounts, are posited between hierarchical levels of the cognitive system in order to facilitate the minimization of prediction errors, perceptual illusions seemingly allow prediction errors to rule. Even if, at the top, we have reliable and secure knowledge that the lines in the MLI are equal, or that the rubber hand in the RHI is not our hand, the system seems unable to correct for sensory errors that form the illusion. We argue that the standard PEM explanation based on a short-circuiting principle doesn’t work. This is the idea that where there are general statistical regularities in the environment there is a kind of short circuiting such that relevant priors are relegated to lower-level processing so that information from higher levels is not exchanged (Ogilvie and Carruthers, Review of Philosophy and Psychology 7:721–742, 2016), or is not as precise as it should be (Hohwy, The Predictive Mind, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013). Such solutions (without convincing explanation) violate the idea of open communication and/or they over-discount the reliable and secure knowledge that is in the system. We propose an alternative, 4E (embodied, embedded, extended, enactive) solution. We argue that PEM fails to take into account the ‘structural resistance’ introduced by material and cultural factors in the broader cognitive system.

Case Report: Good Prognosis of Mixed Alien Hand Syndrome by Verbal-Cue Rehabilitation Exercise

Mixed alien hand syndrome is a rare disease reported in the literature. The mixed callosal–frontal variant of alien hand syndrome is associated with uncoordinated hand movements, and patients may present with an involuntary grasp reflex and intermanual conflict. There are few videos in the existing literature on the comparison of patients' condition before and after recovery of the symptoms of mixed alien hand syndrome. We presented the prognosis of mixed alien hand syndrome in the form of a video. In addition, we have included some videos on the comparison of the condition of patients before and after recovery of the symptoms of mixed alien hand syndrome. A 57-year-old woman presented with left-handed intermanual conflict and right-handed involuntary grasp reflex due to infarction of the frontal lobe and corpus callosum. She was diagnosed with a mixed callosal–frontal variant of alien hand syndrome. Her left hand counteracted the purposeful movements of the right hand. However, the intermanual conflict disappeared after 3 months of therapy, including drug treatment and verbal-cue rehabilitation, and she regained normal coordination of her hand movements. Her prognosis was good despite the large corpus callosum lesions. The uncoordinated hand movements of the patient affected her daily life and caused psychological problems. Initiating rehabilitation early was important and necessary for her to regain coordination. It is possible that the verbal-cue training method played an important role in the recovery of the patient. Therefore, this method of rehabilitation deserves consideration and can be adopted in larger cohort studies as we presented only a single case. The possible mechanisms behind the verbal-cue exercise require further studies, and this patient had a good prognosis despite severe corpus callosum injury, which may merit further investigation.

REVIEWING RARE SYNDROMES

This article is an examination of the Rare Syndromes The scientific development and subsequent “syndromes” continues to influence the researchers all over the globe today. This article examines the research done and published by researchers and scientists. Consideration of current trends and data in scientific queries and demonstrates further aspects of auto brewery syndrome, alien hand syndrome, Alice in wonderland syndrome. Additionally, this article explores options for syndrome listed with some significance. Keywords: Rare Syndromes, Autobrewery Syndrome, Alien Hand Syndrome, Alice In Wonderland Syndrome.

Three cases of paroxysmal alien limb phenomena due to epileptic seizures and review of literatures

Background The alien hand phenomenon (AHP) is a rare disorder of involuntary limb movement together with a loss of sense of limb ownership. AHP occurs as a consequence of frontal, callosal, or posterior cerebral lesions. To characterize the phenomenon of AHP, three patients with paroxysmal AHP were described and proved to be focal seizures by using video-EEG monitoring. Method Clinical history of 3 epileptic patients with AHP was collected. EEG and MRI were performed in each patient. One patient completed EEG monitoring and postoperative pathological examination. We also review the recent literatures and summarize the characteristics, types and hypothetic mechanisms of epileptic AHP. Results Case 1 had AHP of the left arm followed by the left arm convulsion or AHP only. MRI imaging showed a lesion in the posterior parietal lobe. After complete resection of the lesion, he remained seizure free for 1.5 years. Cases 2 and 3 had AHP and convulsion. The three cases did not have auto-motor signs, so they were identified to be the posterior type of APH. Conclusions The mechanism underlying AHP remains poorly .understood. Currently, little is known for the epileptic paroxysmal AHP, a quite rare form of AHP. AHP can be represented before or immediately after convulsion, or be represented by the paroxysmal symptom only.

Alien hand and complex regional pain syndromes during rehabilitation program

Introduction: Alien hand syndrome (AHS) belongs to the group of asymmetrical movement symptoms that are a characteristic picture of neurodegenerative diseases such as corticobasal degeneration syndrome (CBS). Changes in the musculoskeletal system such as dystonia, bradykinesia and myoclonus may also occur in the subacute stage of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I. Aim: To learn about difficulties related to diagnosis and rehabilitation of a patient with AHS and CRPS type I complicated by an upper limb fracture. Case study: A case of a patient admitted to the rehabilitation department with compulsive unilateral involuntary groping and grasping movements of the left hand for about half a year is presented. The woman has been suspected of CBS. A few months after the diagnosis, the patient was admitted to the rehabilitation ward, where she suffered an elbow fracture during exercise. Two months after fracture, type I CRPS was diagnosed. Results and discussion: AHS in CBS and CRPS type I may have a similar clinical picture, which makes differentiation difficult. It is very rare that both diseases coexist with each other. They can also lead to a number of unwanted symptoms such as limb fractures. Conclusions: CRPS may increase the symptoms of dystonia due to other causes. Patients with AHS and dystonia are more likely to break because of rapid movements alone or because of immobilization and osteoporotic changes. As a result, treatment and rehabilitation cannot be based on a questionable diagnosis of a neurological syndrome.