Longitudinal Changes of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow on a Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Scan in a Patient With Schizophrenia Having Cotard's Syndrome.

Abstract

Cotard's syndrome is a rare clinical condition characterized by the presence of nihilistic delusions, delusions of immortality, depressive mood, and anxiety. Longitudinal changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) obtained under different conditions with and without Cotard's syndrome have rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of a patient with Cotard's syndrome in whom longitudinal rCBF was assessed using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The patient was a 52-year-old man suffering from schizophrenia and mild mental retardation. He was transported to our hospital because of lumbar fractures caused by a suicidal attempt. In the second week after admission, he displayed Cotard's syndrome, i.e., nihilistic delusions, suicidal thoughts, and depressive mood. SPECT with 99mTc-ethyl cysteinate dimer was performed, and the rCBF increased in the bilateral prefrontal cortex but decreased in the occipital and parietal lobes. He was treated with pharmacotherapy mainly using lurasidone, and his Cotard's symptoms disappeared. SPECT was performed again. The increased rCBF in the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the decreased rCBF in the right occipital and parietal lobes were improved. The present case suggests that increased rCBF in the prefrontal cortex and decreased rCBF in the right occipital and parietal lobes are associated with the development of Cotard's syndrome.