Familial Idiopathic Basal Ganglia Calcification (Fahr's syndrome): Initial Clinical Neuropsychiatric Presentation without Corresponding Neurological Deficit
Malte Christian Claussen *
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Katayun Hassanpour
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Josef Jenewein
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Soenke Boettger
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (FIBGC) or Fahr's syndrome is a rare disorder with various clinical presentations which can mimic - in particular - psychiatric illness. The following case is characterized by the typical basal ganglia calcifications and presentation of neuropsychiatric symptoms indicating the first clinical presentation in the absence of a neurological deficit. As previously reported, the extent of calcification did not predict neurological impairment, however, predicted severe psychosis.
Keywords: Basal ganglia, calcification, familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (FIBGC), Fahr's syndrome, neurological deficits, psychosis, extra-pyramidal symptoms