Late Onset Neurodegeneration with Brain-Iron Accumulation Presenting as Parkinsonism

Abstract EN

Neurodegeneration with brain-iron accumulation (NBIA) encompasses a family of neurodegenerative disorders connected by evidence of abnormal brain iron deposition.

Advances in imaging and genetic testing expanded the clinical spectrum of these disorders.

Here, a case of parkinsonism and dystonia with orofacial stereotypies is presented.

While the patient was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and placed on levodopa therapy, dopamine transporter imaging via (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT (DaTSCAN) was normal.

MRI brain showed “eye of the tiger” sign on T2 weighted imaging.

NBIA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism.