Basal Ganglia Calcification and Psychosis in Mongolism

Abstract

An 18-year-old mongoloid girl (trisomy 21) of Asian descent presented two symptoms rarely associated with mongolism (Down’s syndrome). (1) Brain stem calcification; the first case diagnosed in vivo in mongolism on computerized axial tomography. (2) Hallucinatory psychotic depression; the first case successfully treated, to full recovery from the psychosis, in a mongoloid child with known brain stem calcification. The psychotic depression was related to moderate environmental stress. While being treated in her parent’s home, in their native land, for more than 1 year, the psychosis remained unresponsive to tranquilizers. Following hospital admission in the USA, rapid improvement was obtained within a few weeks through intensive milieu therapy.

Basal ganglia calcification and psychosis in Down’s syndrome

“…The occurrence of a second consecutive case with similar presentation and symptomatology is statistically unlikely and hence raises the index of suspicion about a possible relationship. In both the present case and the case described by Jakab (1978), the behavioural decompensation shortly followed a severe social stressor, and therefore BGC may represent a vulnerability factor rather than a primary aetiology. Although the association may be fortuitous, it is interesting that the two conditions have similar prevalence in DS, at least in institutionalized samples [BGC:7% (Malamud, 1964); psychosis:10% (Gibson, 1978)].…”

“…However, Malamud (1964) found BGC in 7% of individuals with Down's syndrome (DS), suggestive that this population may be useful for prospective study of the behavioural correlates of BGC. While the clinical significance of BGC in DS is not known, a case was recently reported (Jakab, 1978) demonstrating the coexistence of idiopathic BGC and psychosis in an 18-year-old female with DS. In this paper, a second consecutive young adult with DS admitted to our hospital (cf.…”

Neurobehavioral disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults with Down syndrome

“…In persons with DS, it may be necessary to manage positive symptoms with medication in order to obtain the level of cooperation needed for an overnight sleep study. Basal ganglia calcifications are common in persons with DS [Wisniewski et al, 1982], and have been associated with mood disturbance and psychotic symptoms [Jakab, 1978;Thase, 1984].…”

A virgines capitales kultusza a középkori Magyarországon

“…A vértanú szüzek kultuszának növekedését mutatja az is, hogy a Szent Mihálytemplom déli mellékhajójának a déli falán Mária mellett őket -köztük Katalint isábrázolták,856 később pedig a szentélyben is megfestették alakjukat 857. Egy 1492-es adományban, Jakab kolozsvári ötvös felesége, egy házat, fél hold szőlőt, egy bekötött misekönyvet és 50 aranyforintot hagyományozott a Szent Katalin társulatra, hogy heti két misét mondjanak -kedden az ő, szerdán férje lelki üdvéért 858. Valószínűleg az aranyművesek céhével is kapcsolatban lehetett a társulat, mivel az özvegy valószínűleg annak a fraternitásnak tett adományt, amelyhez férje is tartozott 859.…”