title: Harnessing neuroplasticity in Diogenes syndrome: a proposed mechanism to explain clinical improvement.
abstract: Extreme neglect of one's living space and self-care is a perplexing condition termed Diogenes syndrome, where outcomes of intervention are often poor, with high relapse and mortality rates. Relatively little has been reported regarding management approaches. We present a case of Diogenes syndrome responsive to a structured behavioral paradigm during a hospital admission and speculate on the mechanism of neuroplasticity-based behavioral treatment in facilitating clinical improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Waserman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: ahategan@stjosham.on.ca.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hategan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry/Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute, Consultation-Liaison Service, University of California San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bourgeois
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000628:therapy*; D060845:Hoarding / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D012934:Social Isolation; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Diogenes syndrome; Elderly; Neglect; Neuroplasticity