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Mental Illness Nov 2018Capgras Syndrome is a subcategory of delusional disorder. People affected by this syndrome believe that a close associate such as a friend or family member has been...
Capgras Syndrome is a subcategory of delusional disorder. People affected by this syndrome believe that a close associate such as a friend or family member has been replaced by an identical imposter. This case report describes a 23-year-old woman with no prior psychiatric history, whom developed Capgras syndrome, via , in the setting of poly-substance use. In this patient, a combination of Aripiprazole 10 mg daily and Escitalopram 10 mg daily were effective in resolving symptoms. Clonazepam was utilized for anxiety and Omega-3 fatty acids 1 g for anti-oxidative effects. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of a variety of causes and treatments for Capgras Syndrome.
PubMed: 30542525
DOI: 10.4081/mi.2018.7807 -
Cureus Sep 2023Neurosyphilis is an infection of the central nervous system caused by the spirochete, . New syphilis infections have been increasing around the world each year. This... (Review)
Review
Neurosyphilis is an infection of the central nervous system caused by the spirochete, . New syphilis infections have been increasing around the world each year. This disease was much of a concern in the pre-penicillin era, where when left untreated many cases progressed to tertiary syphilis which can commonly manifest as neurosyphilis. Of particular interest, neurosyphilis has been linked to masquerading itself as various psychiatric conditions. This narrative review focuses on exploring psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis as well as the importance of screening in psychiatric settings and clinicians maintaining high clinical suspicion of the disease. A systematic search was conducted for published articles from 2003 to 2023 using PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. A total of 66 articles met the criteria and were used for detailed analysis, where psychiatric manifestations and clinical progression of patients were discussed in detail. Psychiatric manifestations that were explored include dementia, delirium, depression, mania, personality changes, and psychosis. One of the most common manifestations of neurosyphilis appears to be severe neurocognitive impairment. There are also rare psychiatric conditions neurosyphilis mimics that have been described in literature such as Capgras syndrome and Geschwind syndrome. A narrative review of the literature revealed a low level of clinical awareness of neurosyphilis as a possible etiology of various psychiatric disorders. This resulted in delayed or inaccurate diagnosis and consequently delayed initiation of adequate treatment. Considering that many psychiatric manifestations of neurosyphilis are reversible with proper treatment, it is imperative to implement routine screening for syphilis among psychiatric patients.
PubMed: 37814742
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44866 -
Schizophrenia Bulletin May 2007Numerous delusions have been studied which are highly specific and which can present in isolation in people whose beliefs are otherwise entirely unremarkable -... (Review)
Review
Numerous delusions have been studied which are highly specific and which can present in isolation in people whose beliefs are otherwise entirely unremarkable - "monothematic delusions" such as Capgras or Cotard delusions. We review such delusions and summarize our 2-factor theory of delusional belief which seeks to explain what causes these delusional beliefs to arise initially and what prevents them being rejected after they have arisen. Although these delusions can occur in the absence of other symptoms, they can also occur in the context of schizophrenia, when they are likely to be accompanied by other delusions and hallucinations. We propose that the 2-factor account of particular delusions like Capgras and Cotard still applies even when these delusions occur in the context of schizophrenia rather than occurring in isolation.
Topics: Brain; Capgras Syndrome; Culture; Delusions; Dominance, Cerebral; Humans; Neuropsychological Tests; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology
PubMed: 17372282
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbm017 -
Dementia & Neuropsychologia 2019The association between Capgras syndrome and Alzheimer's disease has been reported in several studies, but its prevalence varies considerably in the literature, making...
UNLABELLED
The association between Capgras syndrome and Alzheimer's disease has been reported in several studies, but its prevalence varies considerably in the literature, making it difficult to measure and manage this condition.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to estimate the prevalence of Capgras syndrome in patients with Alzheimer's disease through a systematic review, and to review etiological and pathophysiological aspects related to the syndrome.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using the Medline, ISI, Cochrane, Scielo, Lilacs, and Embase databases. Two independent researchers carried out study selection, data extraction, and qualitative analysis by strictly following the same methodology. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. The meta-analysis was performed using the random effect model.
RESULTS
40 studies were identified, 8 of which were included in the present review. Overall, a total of 1,977 patients with Alzheimer's disease were analyzed, and the prevalence of Capgras syndrome in this group was 6% (CI: 95% I² 54% 4.0-8.0).
CONCLUSION
The study found a significant prevalence of Capgras syndrome in patients with Alzheimer's disease. These findings point to the need for more studies on the topic to improve the management of these patients.
PubMed: 31844501
DOI: 10.1590/1980-57642018dn13-040014 -
Case Reports in Psychiatry 2021The presentation of both Cotard and Capgras syndromes is uncommon in schizophrenia. We present a case of a 23-year-old male with the diagnosis of schizophrenia with...
The presentation of both Cotard and Capgras syndromes is uncommon in schizophrenia. We present a case of a 23-year-old male with the diagnosis of schizophrenia with Cotard syndrome who later developed Capgras syndrome. By persisting significant symptoms despite the use of two antipsychotics, he was given the diagnosis of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and his symptoms improved with clozapine. This is one of the few cases of Cotard and Capgras syndromes in a patient with schizophrenia.
PubMed: 33552609
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6652336 -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Aug 2019
Topics: Brain; Capgras Syndrome; Delusions; Humans; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 31387959
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.190048 -
Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology 2021
PubMed: 34728963
DOI: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_959_20 -
Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki 2018The Delusional Misidentification Syndromes (DMSs) are characterized by defective integration of the normally The Delusional Misidentification Syndromes (DMSs) are...
The Delusional Misidentification Syndromes (DMSs) are characterized by defective integration of the normally The Delusional Misidentification Syndromes (DMSs) are characterized by defective integration of the normally fused functions of perception and recognition. The classical sub-types are: the syndromes of Capgras, Fregoli,Intermetamorphosis (mentioned in 3) and Subjective doubles. These syndromes occur in a clear sensorium and shouldbe differentiated from the banal transient misidentifications occurring in confusional states and in mania and from thenon-delusional misidentifications (e.g. prosopagnosia). Joseph Capgras, who described the best-known sub-type, was indecisive on its pathogenesis. In his original report he defined the syndrome as "agnosia of identification" produced by a conflict between affective accompaniments ofsensory and mnemonic images. In his subsequent two publications, he considered the syndrome as a restitution delusionand as a psychopathological mechanism to hide incestuous desires. For more details see the chapter by J.P. Luaute in avolume on DMS. Psychodynamic approaches are, essentially, variants of the formulation that DMSs result from ambivalent feelings resolvedby directing hate feelings onto an imagined double in order to retain the original intact (and thus avoid guilt).These views have been voiced by David Enoch [relevant chapter in (3)] and with variations by many other investigatorsreviewed by Oyebode. Regression to archaic modes of thought (like thinking in terms of doubles and dualisms) due to personality disintegrationproduced by psychotic illness is a fascinating hypothesis by John Todd [mentioned in (1)]. However, if this was thecase, DMS should be much more frequent. Mayer-Gross and Ackner (mentioned in 9) had observed that when there is a delusional development, depersonalization-derealization experiences tend to be included within the delusional system. Such experiences usually precede orcoincide with the onset of DMS. In view of this, Christodoulou suggested that DMSs may represent delusional evolutions of depersonalization-derealization experiences. Similar mechanisms were proposed for false memories of familiarity,reduplicative paramnesia and autoscopy. Cerebral "dysrhythmia" has also been noted in patients with DMS. In view of clinical and prognostic similarities of DMSpatients with patients suffering from psychotic states occurring in an epileptic setting, many of these patients have beenconsidered as suffering from broadly speaking "epileptic" psychoses. Joseph [mentioned in (6)] suggested that organiccauses produce disconnection between right and left cortical areas that decode afferent sensory information. This resultsin the creation of a separate image in each hemisphere leading to an awareness of two, physically identical images. Ellis and Young [mentioned in (1) and (6)] have maintained that DMS may result from defects at different stages of aninformation processing chain. More specifically, the Capgras Syndrome appears when the route for unconscious recognitionis damaged. Similar mechanisms have been proposed for the rest of the subtypes. Margariti and Kontaxakis8 have considered that in DMS there is disruption of the ability to recognize identities ratherthan superficial appearance. Others have maintained that DMSs are multimodal neuropathologies and cannot be linkedto a single cognitive defect. Lastly, in view of the marked organic abnormalities detected in all DMS subtypes, DMSs have been linked with a greatnumber of organic conditions [reviewed in detail by Oyebode (5)]. According to Greek mythology, Procrustes was a bandit who stretched or amputated the limbs of his guests to fit hisiron bed. The DMSs do not deserve such treatment. Submitting them to the procrustean bed of uniformity should be avoided. People develop DMS for a variety of reasons. Most subjects have right hemisphere dysfunction but not exclusively.Their condition is associated not with one but with diverse phenomena (depersonalization - derealization, prosopagnosia,false memories of familiarity, autoscopy, reduplicative paramnesia etc.) similarities with psychotic phenomena associatedwith epilepsy have been suggested but this refers to some patients only. Additionally, the charged emotionalrelationship of the patient with the misidentified person(s) is neither necessary nor sufficient. Diagnostically speaking, many roads lead to DMS, ranging from the monosymptomatic and monothematic one (consideredas par excellence DMS) to that associated with disorders mainly of the schizophrenic or organic spectrum. DMScan also be reached by a more "superficial" road, the one of depression, in which the delusion is secondary and often dependenton the self-depreciation ideation. Speculating on these syndromes is a fascinating journey in psychopathologybut, although in most cases an organic contributor is present, yet the great diversity of conditions in the setting of whichDMSs occur renders the possibility of a unifying hypothesis unlikely.
Topics: Cognition Disorders; Delusions; Humans; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic; Schizophrenia, Paranoid
PubMed: 29754115
DOI: 10.22365/jpsych.2018.291.15 -
The Ulster Medical Journal Oct 1986
Topics: Adult; Capgras Syndrome; Family; Humans; Male; Northern Ireland; Psychotic Disorders; Social Environment
PubMed: 3811020
DOI: No ID Found