F

Abstract

Also known as face hallucination. Both terms are used to denote a *complex visual hallucination depicting one or more faces of humans, humanoid beings, animals, or fantasy creatures. The hallucinated faces may be realistic, but may also have a cartoonesque appearance or display distorted features such as prominent eyes and teeth. Facial hallucinations are described in the context of various hallucinatory syndromes, for example, *Charles Bonnet syndrome, *hypnagogic hallucinations (also known as ‘faces in the dark’), *peduncular hallucinations, drug-induced hallucinations, and drug-related *flashbacks. Pathophysiologically, the mediation of facial hallucinations is associated primarily with increased neurophysiological activity in a part of the fusiform gyrus called the fusiform face area, and also in an area in the superior temporal sulcus which is sensitive to observed eye movements and gaze.