Delusion of parasitosis or chronic tactile hallucinosis: hypothesis about their brain physiopathology.
The abnormal belief of having the skin infested by parasites is a syndrome with different etiologies. Approximately 12% of cases are induced by another patient with the same syndrome. In noninduced cases, two physiopathological brain mechanisms have been proposed: a delusion, or a primary abnormal tactile sensation with a secondary delusional elaboration. These two hypotheses have been characterized by Berrios as cognitive and sensorialist approaches, respectively. Although modern literature defines this syndrome as a delusion, early literature, particularly German, described both approaches, and even emphasized the sensorialist approach, classifying it as a chronic tactile hallucinosis. A thorough review of the literature suggests both mechanisms may be possible.
de Leon
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19129.
Antelo
R E
RE
Simpson
G
G
D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003702:Delusions / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*