The frontal lobes and content-specific delusions

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1994 Fall;6(4):455-66. doi: 10.1176/jnp.6.4.455.

Abstract

Contemporary research has shown that delusions are often the product of identifiable neurologic disease, particularly when the delusions have a specific theme or are confined to one topic--monosymptomatic or content-specific delusions. Although these delusions are considered rare, some of them can be found at high rates in certain populations and settings. The literature on several classes of content-specific delusions (misidentification, sexual, and somatic) is critically reviewed. The review demonstrates that when adequate diagnostic workups are conducted, a high proportion of such delusions are found to have a neurologic basis. Lesions of the frontal lobes and the right hemisphere are shown to be critical to the development and persistence of many content-specific delusions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Damage, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / physiopathology*
  • Brain Damage, Chronic / psychology
  • Delusions / diagnosis
  • Delusions / physiopathology*
  • Delusions / psychology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dominance, Cerebral / physiology
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / diagnosis
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Neurocognitive Disorders / psychology
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Syndrome