To be or not to be at home? A neuropsychological approach to delusion for place

J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 1996 Apr;18(2):234-48. doi: 10.1080/01688639608408278.

Abstract

A woman, LB, while in recovery from a viral encephalitis, exhibited a delusion for place, which led her to insist that she was at home, in spite of compelling evidence to the contrary. Later, she developed a Capgras syndrome, that is, another misidentification syndrome. The patient was given a detailed neuropsychological evaluation to shed light on the mechanisms underlying her delusional misbelief. Two main deficits were in evidence: (1) a severe visual-spatial impairment, giving the patient a distorted perception of her surroundings; and (2) frontal lobe dysfunction, which played a critical role in her impulsive responses and lack of self-awareness. The pathogenesis of delusion for place and persons if discussed in light of these observations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Awareness / physiology
  • Brain Mapping
  • Capgras Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Capgras Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Capgras Syndrome / psychology*
  • Delusions / diagnosis
  • Delusions / physiopathology
  • Delusions / psychology*
  • Encephalitis, Viral / diagnosis
  • Encephalitis, Viral / physiopathology
  • Encephalitis, Viral / psychology*
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Mental Recall / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Orientation* / physiology
  • Perceptual Distortion / physiology
  • Social Environment*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed