Capgras: Case study and reappraisal of psychopathology

Abstract

A case of the Capras phenomenon in a man of 58, arising during the course of a depressive illness, is described. Physical, electroencephalographic and psychometric investigations gave no sign of organic disease, and recovery was complete. Factors leading to the development of a depressive psychosis and its particular manifestation in the Capgras delusion are traced in detail. The psychopathology of the condition and the implications for treatment are discussed.

The Capgras syndrome: Neurological/neuropsychological perspectives.

“…At least two other neuropsychological hypotheses have been advanced: (1) that the disorder evolves from a generalized visuospatial impairment that is not specific to facial recognition or prosopagnosia (Christodoulou, 1977b), and (2) a memory recognition disorder underlies the delusional syndrome (Alexander, Stuss, & Benson, 1979). The results of other studies, however, have failed to substantiate any neuropsychological impairment in patients with Capgras syndrome (Dally & Gomez, 1979; Merrin & Silberfarb, 1976; Pellettier, Bartolucci, & Wallace, 1985).…”

“…At least two other neuropsychological hypotheses have been advanced: (1) that the disorder evolves from a generalized visuospatial impairment that is not specific to facial recognition or prosopagnosia (Christodoulou, 1977b), and (2) a memory recognition disorder underlies the delusional syndrome (Alexander, Stuss, & Benson, 1979). The results of other studies, however, have failed to substantiate any neuropsychological impairment in patients with Capgras syndrome (Dally & Gomez, 1979;Merrin & Silberfarb, 1976;PeUettier, Bartolucci, & Wallace, 1985). Morrison and Tarter (1984) presented the case of a 37-year-old black female with the Capgras syndrome who was given an extensive battery of neuropsychological examinations, including tests of intelligence, attention, concentration, learning, and memory, as well as perceptual, visuospatial, and psychomotor processes.…”