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The case of a 48 year-old woman with bizarre and complex delusions.

Authors :
Loy, Clement T.
Kril, Jillian J.
Trollor, Julian N.
Kiernan, Matthew C.
Kwok, John B. J.
Vucic, Steve
Halliday, Glenda M.
Hodges, John R.
Source :
Nature Reviews Neurology. Mar2010, Vol. 6 Issue 3, p175-180. 6p. 2 Diagrams, 1 Chart.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

<bold>Background: </bold>A 48 year-old woman presented with an 18 month history of bizarre and complex delusions on a background of social, behavioral and cognitive decline over several years. Her psychosis progressed despite receiving high doses of antipsychotics. The patient's father also had a psychotic episode in his 40s. He subsequently developed motor neuron disease, which caused his death at 68 years of age.<bold>Investigations: </bold>Physical examination, neuropsychological testing, nerve conduction studies, brain MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation.<bold>Diagnosis: </bold>On the basis of the patient's age at onset of the delusions, imaging findings and family history, a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) was favored over a primary psychotic disorder. The ubiquitin-positive and TAR DNA binding protein 43-positive inclusions that were found at autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of FTD.<bold>Management: </bold>The patient was treated with various antipsychotics at high doses; however, her delusions continued to progress. No disease-specific treatments for FTD currently exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17594758
Volume :
6
Issue :
3
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Nature Reviews Neurology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
50366290
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2010.3