Neuropsychiatric Factors in the Illusion of Visitors among Geriatric Patients: A Case Series

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1997

Keywords

Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Agnosia, Delusions, Dementia, Dominance, Cerebral, Electroencephalography, Female, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neurocognitive Disorders, Neuropsychological Tests, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Vision Disorders, Visual Perception

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

http://doi.org/10.1177/089198879701000208

Abstract

The 'illusion of visitors' is a common phenomenon among geriatric patients presenting for psychiatric or neurologic evaluation and treatment. Although these illusory beliefs are etiologically diverse, patients may commonly have visual impairment and functional and/or structural disruption of frontal and right-hemisphere-mediated cognitive functioning. This article outlines eight cases of illusory beliefs among elderly patients, presenting psychiatric, neurologic, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological findings among these patients. Commonalities and differences among these cases are discussed, and a framework is provided for multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of patients presenting with illusory beliefs.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, v. 10, issue 2, p. 79-87

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