Neural correlates of delusional infestation responding to aripiprazole monotherapy: a case report

Laura Ponson (1, 2) , Frédéric Andersson (2) , Wissam El-Hage (1, 2)

1 Clinique Psychiatrique Universitaire [Tours]
2 iBrain - Inserm U1253 - UNIV Tours - Imagerie et cerveau

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology and appropriate pharmacological interventions for delusional infestation remain unknown. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a case of primary delusional infestation successfully treated with aripiprazole. We performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate brain structures and functional modifications. Before antipsychotic treatment, pre- versus post-treatment fMRI images revealed a marked increase in brain activation in the supplementary motor area (SMA). CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in the treatment of delusional infestation and the possible role of SMA dysfunction in delusional infestation. Indeed, our results suggest that psychiatric improvement of delusional infestation is associated with normalization of brain activity, particularly in the SMA.

Keywords: antipsychotics; supplementary motor area; fMRI

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Human health and pathology; Psychiatrics and mental health

Laura Ponson, Frédéric Andersson, Wissam El-Hage. Neural correlates of delusional infestation responding to aripiprazole monotherapy: a case report. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2015, 11, pp.257-61. ⟨10.2147/NDT.S74786⟩. ⟨hal-02524250⟩