Capgras Syndrome & TBI
 

** Dr. Ramachandran's lecture entitled, “A journey to the center of your mind” at the Technology Education and Design Conference (TED Talk):

**

Dr Ramachandran discusses an especially curious phenomenon called Capgras Syndrome, which can occur as a result of abrupt changes in axonal structure and function due to a sustained injury. When the axonal pathway from the area of the brain where faces are processed in the brain, the fusiform gyrus, is severed from the amygdala, the area where emotion is processed, it can result in visual delusions called Capgras Delusions. Capgras delusions cause an individual to identify a person, with whom they were previously acquainted, as an identical imposter. This seemingly odd delusion occurs because the damaged axonal pathway inhibits the individual’s capacity to render the emotional response previously incited by that particular stimulus

This syndrome has been demonstrated by Adam on the MTV 'True Life' special about TBI. The full length video is worth watching. http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-...playlist.jhtml
He also mentions believing he is in a dream. He sometimes believes his current environment with people and things is just a illusion, or as he calls it, "A f****** fraud." His inability to moderate his language and other socially unacceptable behaviors is evident.
Donnie's failed attempts to re-enter community college and take Physics and Pre-Calculus are also shown.
Neil does very well. His attitude that he accepts his social blunders and is aware of his struggles and inappropriate behaviors is a good witness to how a TBI subject can work with the 'new person' and go on with life.

After watching this on MTV. I am not going to complain about anything again.

Gives you a new perspective, doesn't it? I meet with people like this on a monthly basis at my brain injury support group. Most are ten years or more post injury.

These people will likely be considered "fully recovered" long before they get to a PCS like condition.