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Moyamoya disease in a patient with schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2003

DAN I. LUBMAN
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research and Academic Unit, University of Melbourne and Sunshine Hospital, Victoria, Australia Mental Health Research Institute, Victoria, Australia Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia
CHRISTOS PANTELIS
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research and Academic Unit, University of Melbourne and Sunshine Hospital, Victoria, Australia Mental Health Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
PATRICIA DESMOND
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia
TINA-MARIE PROFFITT
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research and Academic Unit, University of Melbourne and Sunshine Hospital, Victoria, Australia Mental Health Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
DENNIS VELAKOULIS
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research and Academic Unit, University of Melbourne and Sunshine Hospital, Victoria, Australia Mental Health Research Institute, Victoria, Australia Department of Psychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia

Abstract

We present the case of a 23-year-old Vietnamese male with a 2-year history of a psychotic illness marked by prominent negative symptoms, fatuousness and disturbed behavior. Neuroimaging revealed a prominent vascular flow void affecting the middle and anterior cerebral arteries, with associated increased collateral supply to the frontal cortex, consistent with Moyamoya disease. Neurological examination was unremarkable; however, neuropsychological assessment revealed significant executive dysfunction, including stimulus-driven behavior. Whilst the diagnosis of schizophrenia and Moyamoya disease may be coincidental, an interaction between the 2 diseases may have led to some of the atypical features of this case, including prominent executive dysfunction and marked sensitivity to psychotropic medication. We discuss the nature of possible interactions between the 2 conditions. This case also highlights the importance of re-evaluating patients with atypical or treatment-resistant psychoses for cerebral pathology. (JINS, 2003, 9, 806–810.)

Type
CASE STUDY
Copyright
© 2003 The International Neuropsychological Society

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