Abstract
The relationship between the seeing of his own thoughts and the oculomotor function was studied in a schizophrenic who experienced the seeing of his own thoughts (Gedankensichtbarwemden). This patholgical experience was analysed in comparison with that in one case reported in Japan.
1) The patient could actually see his own thoughts or images which occurred in his mind and could change the scene or the things seen in front of his eyes according to his own will. However, he could not recognize things seen as they existed in the real world, nor see highly abstract ideas such as philosophy, realism, etc.
2) The experience of the seeing of his own thoughts was considered to be an eidetic image, but he did not appear to be a man with an eidetic disposition.
3) Upward eye movements were observed concomitant with the seeing of his own thoughts. However, such eye movements did not occur at the time when he did not experience such visions. Duning close observation for over 2.5 years, there was an apparent relationship between the pathological experience of these visions and the eye movements.
4) A large nystagmus to the left was apparent regardless of the absence or presence of the vision.
5) The slow eye deviation in the OKP test was inhibited when he experienced the seeing of his own thoughts, but was normally produced when he did not have such experiences. Smooth pursuit in the eye tracking test and normal responses in the caloric test were obtained regardless.
These findings suggest that the pathological experience of the seeing of his own thoughts is closely related to abnormal functions of the oculomotor system.
