Three Neuroacanthocytosis Cases Representing Different Psychiatric Aspects

WOS: 000285883500019The definition of neuroacanthocytosis syndromes is used to describe a group of diseases, which is characterized by acanthocytosis and neurological abnormalities. Neuroacanthocytosis syndromes are progressive, degenerative and genetically heterogeneous diseases that generally begin at the 3rd or 4(th) decade of life. Age at onset, clinical and laboratory findings, family history, neurological and systemic involvement, and treatment options differ according to the subtypes. The treatment of neuroacanthocytosis syndromes is totally symptomatic and pharmacotherapy and surgery are used. In the literature, half of the neuroacanthocytosis cases are accompanied by vague psychiatric symptoms as beginning signs or full-blown psychiatric symptoms during the course of the disease. In this case series, we present three patients who displayed different psychiatric aspects in a short period of 6 months and were diagnosed with neuroacanthocytosis after thorough investigations in our psychiatry clinic. Common features and differential characteristics of the cases are discussed in the light of relevant literature. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2010; 47: 356-9