Adult onset Hallervorden-Spatz disease with psychotic symptoms

Abstract

Hallervorden-Spatz disease is a rare neurological disorder characterized by pyramidal and extrapyramidal manifestations, dysarthria and dementia. Its onset is usually in childhood and most patients have a fatal outcome in few years. A high percentage of cases are hereditary with a recessive autosomal pattern. 

In the majority of the patients reported, a mutation of the gene that encodes the pantothenate kinase (PANK2) located in the 20p13-p12.3 chromosome that causes iron storage in the basal ganglia of the brain has been found. Its diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms as well as specific MRI imaging findings. 

The most common psychiatric features are cognitive impairment as well as depressive symptoms. There are few documented cases with psychotic disorders. 

We present the case of a patient with late onset Hallervorden-Spatz disease and psychotic symptoms that preceded the development of neurological manifestations. 

The pathophysiology and the treatment of psychotic symptomatology are presented and discussed.