Search

The Cotard syndrome is characterized by the delusion where an individual insists that he has died or part of his body has decayed. Although described classically in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, physical disorders including migraine, tumour and trauma have also been associated with the syndrome. Two new cases are described here, the one associated with arteriovenous malformations and the other with probable multiple sclerosis. The delusion has been embarrassing to each patient. Study of such cases may have wider implications for the understanding of the psychotic interpretation of body image, for example that occurring in anorexia nervosa.

One pair of male monozygous twins was examined: only 1 twin had multiple sclerosis. Differences in the life histories of the twins were identified. Haematological, biochemical and microbiological studies were performed. It is possible in theory to determine which environmental factors may have been responsible for the development of multiple sclerosis in 1 twin. Several differences in life history were found in this study.