Down the Rabbit Hole: A literature review based on causes and consequences of the Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Abstract

The Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is a rare clinical neurological condition, based on the presence of perception disorders which are interpreted by the patient as rare metamorphosing and depersonalization events. The most common causes of AIWS are infections by the Epstein-Barr virus and migraines. Symptoms include visual illusions in which the patient sees altered object dimensions, changes in the shape (metamorphopsia) and even notice the disappearing of objects (palinopsy) and the appearance of animals (zoopsy). Nevertheless AIWS remains a poorly known and misdiagnosed syndrome. This instability in the diagnostic process is due to the fact that no univocally accepted diagnostic criteria for this disease has been developed. Further studies must be performed to achieve better comprehension of the syndrome.