Major depression and bipolar disorders in CADASIL: a study using the DSM-IV semi-structured interview

Abstract

This study confirms that mood disorders are frequent in CADASIL. The use of a structured psychiatric interview outlines a frequency of depression higher than that previously reported but also reveals a considerable frequency of bipolar disorders. If confirmed in larger series, these data suggest that a greater attention should be paid to the psychiatric aspects in CADASIL.

Bipolar disorder against a background of a rare vascular dementia

“…If confirmed in larger series the data suggest that greater attention should be paid to the psychiatric aspects in CADASIL; treating them might improve the quality of life. 6 CADASIL occurring with manic features has been described in two case reports by Kumar et al 10 and Park et al 1 Case reports on other aspects of mood disorders include Gamakaranage et al 11 describing a patient with personality changes (mood swings and aggressive behaviour) but with no manic fea tures and Leyhe et al 12 discussing…”

“…Psychi atric disturbances have been men tioned in nearly all studies in patients with CADASIL but few have focussed on this aspect. 6 Presentation Mrs X is a 62yearold lady who was born and raised in Coventry. Her childhood was a happy one and she had been a good student through out her school years.…”

Hypomanic episode in CADASIL syndrome

“…It is thought that depression episodes seen in a CADASIL course present with melancholic-type symptoms. Psychic somatization and anxiety can be perceived by patients (1). Mood disturbance comorbidity with neurologic symptoms and having no family history of mood disorders made us consider an organic etiology in our case.…”

“…Dear Editor, Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a systemic disease associated with mutation of the Notch 3 gene on chromosome 19p13.1 (1). Deposition of granular osmiophilic material (GOM) in the tunica media of small cerebral arteries which can be seen under an electron microscope is pathognomonic for the disease (2).…”

“…Deposition of granular osmiophilic material (GOM) in the tunica media of small cerebral arteries which can be seen under an electron microscope is pathognomonic for the disease (2). Neurological signs of the disease, such as migraine, transient ischemic attacks, lacunar infarcts, cognitive declines and dementia, are often comorbid with psychiatric symptoms (1,3). With this, the age of onset and clinical presentations are multifactorious.…”