Aripiprazole Used to Treat Capgras Syndrome in an Adolescent Diagnosed With Autism

This report discusses the emergence, clinical appearance, and treatment of the rare entity Capgras syndrome (CS) in an adolescent diagnosed with autism.

After a brief introduction to the CS, we conduct a detailed description of the case and review, after a search on the PubMed database, the known pathophysiology, psychiatric disorders associated with the onset of this syndrome, and the management of CS.

Capgras syndrome generally emerges during the course of delusional disorder, schizophrenia, or mood disorders, and for reasons such as neurological, infectious, or endocrinological diseases, drug intoxications, or deprivation. We encountered no previous reports of CS developing during the course of autism. There are no prospective studies concerning the treatment of the syndrome. However, antipsychotic drug use is primarily recommended in treatment. Antipsychotic drug therapy was therefore planned for the treatment of delusion, a psychotic symptom, in this case. The atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole was used based on the presence of accompanying diagnosis of autism, and the patient's body mass index and age. A relatively high dose of aripiprazole was required for the first psychotic attack in our patient. However, a good level of response was achieved within the expected time frame. In addition, no marked adverse effects were observed.

Aripiprazole seems to be an effective and well-tolerated antipsychotic drug in the treatment of CS accompanying autism.