Explanations for the occurrence of<unk>  were first given by psychodynamic theorists. These theories typically involve a psychotic resolution towards an individual’s feelings of intense ambivalence about the misidentified object. These theories may also involve the egos and identity-forming, as well as defense mechanisms involving splitting the negative and positive aspects of the self. Despite their initial popularity, there is not much empirical support for these psychodynamic explanations. Recent advancements in neuroimaging and structural studies have provided evidence of an organic etiology. Neurological dysfunction and neuropsychiatric abnormalities, in various forms, are now believed to be a central feature in DMSs. Neuropsychological findings suggest that symptoms are produced in some aspect by brain dysfunction or damage, specifically in the right hemisphere. Lesions in the right frontal lobe and adjacent areas have been found through neuroimaging in case reports of<unk> . In studying over 20 patients with misidentification syndromes, Christodoulou found electroencephalographic abnormalities in over 90%. In one case of<unk> , Joseph reported electroencephalographic abnormalities with right temporo-parietal predominance. Impaired connectivity or dysconnectivity between the right fusiform and right parahippocampal areas and the frontal lobes and the right temporolimbic regions have also been seen in case reports of this syndrome, which are thought to be implicated in deficits in face recognition, visual memory recall, and identification processes. While impairments in facial processing are experienced by most DMSs, it appears to be experienced more consciously in<unk>  than in other DMSs. Cortical atrophy is also sometimes present, although this may be due to co-occurring dementia and other organic mental syndromes. Overactivity in the perirhinal cortex appears to be associated with the loss of familiarity in<unk> . Depersonalization has also been postulated as a contributing factor to the development of<unk> ; under conditions like the presence of a paranoid element, a charged emotional relationship to the principal misidentified person, and cerebral dysfunction, depersonalization and derealization symptoms may develop into a full delusional misidentification syndrome.
Intermetamorphosis
Self-enucleation
Dimorphic fungus
Stereognosis
Spooning
Necrophilia
Culion leper colony
Dentition