CAPGRAS SYNDROME: CASE REVIEW AND NEUROBIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Capgras syndrome is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder, classified among delusions of misidentification, characterized by the persistent belief that emotionally significant people have been replaced by identical imposters. This condition can manifest in isolation, but is more frequently associated with psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, affective disorders with psychotic symptoms, dementias, and structural brain lesions. The present study aimed to review the scientific literature on Capgras syndrome, with emphasis on the analysis of clinical cases and the main neurobiological implications involved in its pathophysiology. This is an integrative literature review, carried out through systematic searches in national and international databases, including case reports and series, observational studies, and clinical reviews relevant to the topic. The results showed that the syndrome is frequently associated with alterations in the temporal and frontal lobes, especially in the right hemisphere, as well as dysfunctions in the connectivity between areas responsible for facial recognition and structures of the limbic system, such as the amygdala. These alterations support the hypothesis of a disconnection between perceptual recognition and emotional response, favoring the formation of delusions. It is concluded that Capgras Syndrome results from a complex interaction between neurobiological and psychopathological factors, highlighting the importance of early clinical recognition and individualized therapeutic approaches, as well as the need for future studies with greater methodological robustness.