Gabriele Cipriani1, Mario Di Fiorino2. 1. Neurology Unit, Hospital of Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Lucca, Italy cprgrl@gmail.com. 2. Psychyatry Unit, Hospital of Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Lucca, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Delusions can complicate practically all brain disorders. They may be dramatic and bizarre. An example is the so-called delusion of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristic of a psychotic symptom, the phenomenon of delusion of pregnancy, in the context of dementia. METHOD: MEDLINE and Google Scholar searches were conducted for relevant articles, chapters, and books published before 2014. Search terms used included delusion of pregnancy, uncommon presentation, behavioral and psychological symptoms, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Publications found through this indexed search were reviewed for further relevant references. We included case reports that highlight the relationship and overlap between dementia presenting as schizophrenia-like psychosis and schizophrenia. RESULTS: Literature on delusion of pregnancy in the course of dementia consists mostly of case reports and small samples of patients. CONCLUSION: Psychotic phenomena such as delusion of pregnancy may be a feature in some cases of dementia. If this bizarre features of dementia appears as early presentation of FTD whose usual onset is in the presenium, it may be mistaken for schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND: Delusions can complicate practically all brain disorders. They may be dramatic and bizarre. An example is the so-called delusion of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristic of a psychotic symptom, the phenomenon of delusion of pregnancy, in the context of dementia. METHOD: MEDLINE and Google Scholar searches were conducted for relevant articles, chapters, and books published before 2014. Search terms used included delusion of pregnancy, uncommon presentation, behavioral and psychological symptoms, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Publications found through this indexed search were reviewed for further relevant references. We included case reports that highlight the relationship and overlap between dementia presenting as schizophrenia-like psychosis and schizophrenia. RESULTS: Literature on delusion of pregnancy in the course of dementia consists mostly of case reports and small samples of patients. CONCLUSION: Psychotic phenomena such as delusion of pregnancy may be a feature in some cases of dementia. If this bizarre features of dementia appears as early presentation of FTD whose usual onset is in the presenium, it may be mistaken for schizophrenia.