Basal Ganglia Calcification: A Case Report of Two Siblings With Fahr's Disease

Margarida Magalhães, Margarida Alves, Luís Paulino Ferreira, Janice Alves, Diana Durães

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Fahr's disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by bilateral and usually symmetrical intracranial calcifications. In most cases, it exhibits an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance and genetic heterogeneity. Patients may present with movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disorders. Currently, there are no disease-modifying drugs, so the management is based on the treatment of the symptoms. We present two cases involving male siblings, both with psychiatric symptoms as the initial presentation of the disease. Brain computed tomography revealed bilateral calcifications in the basal ganglia for which no underlying cause was found. In both cases, remission of behavioural changes and psychiatric symptoms was achieved with psychotropic drugs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e53434
JournalCureus
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2024

Keywords

  • basal ganglia calcification
  • computed tomography
  • fahr's disease
  • neuropsychiatry

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