Psychiatric disorders associated with acquired brain pathology

Abstract

Acquired brain pathology can be associated with diverse psychiatric manifestations. Three major types of psychiatric disorders potentially found in cases of acquired brain pathology are examined: (1) psychosis, (2) mood disorders, and (3) personality disorders with special emphasis in so-called “acquired psychopathy.” Two types of psychotic manifestations are reviewed: (a) Schizophrenia-like psychosis; (b) Other delusional disorder, specifically, somatoparaphrenia and delusional misidentification syndromes, which include reduplicative paramnesias, Capgras syndrome, Frégoli syndrome, and “doubles of the self-syndrome.” Schizophrenia-like psychosis has been reported as sequelae of traumatic brain injury with a prevalence of around 1 to 9%. On the other hand, the other delusional disorders are usually associated with right hemisphere or bilateral lesions. The significance of mood disorders particularly in cases of frontal lobe pathology has been reported, including: depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol abuse, panic disorder, and increased risk of suicide are frequently observed. Personality disorders are frequent in cases of brain pathology, particularly frontal lesions. It is concluded that the analysis of the psychiatric changes associated with acquired brain pathology has not only a clinical importance but also a fundamental interest, advancing the understanding of the neurological bases of major psychiatric conditions.

Keywords:

• Acquired psychopathy
• delusional disorders
• mood disorders
• neuropsychiatry
• psychosis