The youngest reported case of corticobasal degeneration

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is a movement disorder characterized by early apraxia and asymmetric parkinsonism that responds poorly to anti-Parkinson medications. There are clinical manifestations reflecting dysfunction in both the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia. Patients typically present between the sixth and seventh decades. Previously, the youngest clinically diagnosed individual was 40 years old. Here we describe a 34-year-old woman who meets the clinical diagnostic criteria for CBD with onset of symptoms at age 28. In this patient, the first symptom was an 'uncooperative' right hand. This was soon followed by right hand dystonia. Symptoms progressed rapidly, and she developed generalized bradykinesia, rigidity, and corticospinal tract signs with preservation of the initial asymmetry. Her symptoms did not respond to a daily dose of 1200 mg of immediate release levodopa. Extensive laboratory workup and brain imaging were normal. Neuropsychological evaluation revealed mild deficits consistent with frontal-subcortical dysfunction. The chronic, progressive course, asymmetric limb rigidity, apraxia, focal dystonia, and lack of response to levodopa suggest CBD. To our knowledge, this is the youngest reported case of clinically probable CBD. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Publication Date

1-1-2003

Publication Title

Parkinsonism and Related Disorders

ISSN

13538020

Volume

10

Issue

1

First Page

47

Last Page

50

PubMed ID

14499207

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/S1353-8020(03)00046-4

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