Pankratz L, Lezak M D
Psychology Service, V.A. Medical Center, Portland, Oregon 97207.
Hillside J Clin Psychiatry. 1987;9(2):195-206.
Brain dysfunction has been noted Munchausen syndrome patients but rarely explored. We describe five Munchausen syndrome patients who all appeared intellectually intact because of their excellent verbal skills. However, formal neuropsychological assessment testing revealed deficits in conceptual organization, management of complex information, and judgement. We suggest that subtle but important neuropsychological impairment may contribute significantly to the aberrant behavior of Munchausen syndrome patients. Typical Munchausen behaviors such as irascibility, the desperate search for care, and pseudologia fantastica, may be understood as solutions to problems created by brain damage.
已有研究指出孟乔森综合征患者存在脑功能障碍，但相关探索较少。我们描述了五名孟乔森综合征患者，他们都因出色的语言能力而看似智力完好。然而，正式的神经心理学评估测试显示他们在概念组织、复杂信息管理和判断力方面存在缺陷。我们认为，细微但重要的神经心理学损伤可能在很大程度上导致了孟乔森综合征患者的异常行为。典型的孟乔森行为，如易怒、不顾一切寻求治疗以及虚构症，可能被理解为对脑损伤所造成问题的应对方式。
