Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification presenting with obsessive‐compulsive symptoms: A case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC), also known as Farh's disease, is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by calcification of the basal ganglia and other brain regions. This disease usually occurs in middle‐aged patients and presents with various neurological and psychiatric symptoms. The exact prevalence is unknown; however, population genomic data analysis suggests a prevalence of at least 4.5/10,000 to 3.3/1000, indicating that the disease is more common than previously thought and remains underdiagnosed. Case Presentation We report the case of a middle‐aged Japanese man who attempted suicide twice because of obsessive‐compulsive ideation caused by trivial triggers. The patient's psychiatric symptoms resolved relatively quickly after hospitalization, and imaging and genetic testing led to a diagnosis of IBGC. Conclusion This case report illustrates the importance of including IBGC in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric symptoms that initially develop in middle‐aged patients.

Keywords

• Fahr's disease
• idiopathic basal ganglia calcification
• obsessive‐compulsive symptoms