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$Unique_ID{BRK03731}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Fahr's Disease}
$Subject{Fahr's Disease Fahr Disease Nonarteriosclerotic Cerebral
Calcification Striopallidodentate Calcinosis SPD Calcinosis Cerebrovascular
Ferrocalcinosis Parkinson Disease}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
597:
Fahr's Disease
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Fahr's Disease) is not
the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Fahr Disease
Nonarteriosclerotic Cerebral Calcification
Striopallidodentate Calcinosis
SPD Calcinosis
Cerebrovascular Ferrocalcinosis
Information on the following disease can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Parkinson Disease
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Fahr's Disease is a rare neurological disorder characterized by abnormal
calcium deposits in certain areas of the brain. Major symptoms develop when
these deposits accumulate including progressive deterioration of mental
functioning, loss of previous motor development, spastic paralysis and
twisting movements of the hands and feet (athetosis). Mental retardation and
optic atrophy can also occur. In many cases, this disorder is inherited,
although some cases may appear with no apparent genetic cause.
Symptoms
Fahr's Disease is marked by abnormal calcium deposits in areas of the brain,
notably the basal ganglia, cerebral cortex, dentate nucleus, subthalamus and
red nucleus areas. Loss of brain cells also occurs. These mineral deposits
may also be found in areas where the myelin sheath surrounding nerves has
been lost (demyelination), and in fatty (lipid) deposits. The heads of
people with Fahr's Disease are often smaller than normal and appear to be
round.
Progressive deterioration of mental abilities (dementia) and loss of
previous motor development are accompanied by spastic paralysis and in some
cases, twisting movements of the hands and feet (athetosis). Vision
disturbances (optic atrophy) and ear infections may also occur. Features of
Parkinson's Disease found in this disorder may include tremors and rigidity,
a masklike facial expression, shuffling walk, and a pill rolling motion of
the fingers. Muscle cramping (dystonia), uncontrollable spasmodic irregular
movements (chorea), and seizures can also occur. (For more information on
Parkinson's Disease, please choose "Parkinson" as your search term in the
Rare Disease Database.)
The parathyroid glands may malfunction and low blood levels of calcium
(hypoparathyroidism) may also occur in some cases of Fahr's Disease.
Causes
Fahr's Disease is thought to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
although some cases appear sporadically, possibly as a consequence of fetal
infection. (Human traits including the classic genetic diseases, are the
product of the interaction of two genes for that condition, one received from
the father and one from the mother. In recessive disorders, the condition
does not appear unless a person inherits the same defective gene from each
parent. If one receives one normal gene and one gene for the disease, the
person will be a carrier for the disease, but usually will show no symptoms.
The risk of transmitting the disease to the children of a couple, both of
whom are carriers for a recessive disorder, is twenty-five percent. Fifty
percent of their children will be carriers, but healthy as described above.
Twenty-five percent of their children will receive both normal genes, one
from each parent and will be genetically normal.)
Affected Population
Fahr's Disease is a very rare disorder affecting males and females in equal
numbers.
Related Disorders
The following disorder may be associated with Fahr's Disease as a secondary
characteristic. It may not be necessary for a differential diagnosis:
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurological disorder characterized
by tremor, muscular rigidity, slowness of movements (bradykinesia) balance
problems and difficulty in initiating movements. In Parkinson Disease, there
are degenerative changes in the substantia nigra and other pigmented regions
of the brain, and a decrease in dopamine levels in neurons associated with
these areas. In the great majority of cases, the cause is unknown.
Parkinsonian symptoms may very rarely appear after infarcts (strokes), tumors
in the vicinity of the basal ganglia, hydrocephalus, cerebral trauma,
encephalitis, or exposure to certain drugs and toxins. Parkinson's Disease
appears in adulthood and progresses very slowly over years. (For more
information on this disorder, choose "Parkinson" as your search term in the
Rare Disease Database).
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of ear infections in Fahr's Disease involves antibiotic drugs
and/or pain medication as needed. Lithium Carbonate may be prescribed to
treat some psychotic symptoms of this disorder. Other treatment is
symptomatic and supportive. Genetic counseling may be of benefit for
patients and their families if they have the hereditary form of Fahr's
Disease.
Therapies: Investigational
Research is being conducted on Fahr's Disease to find better diagnostic
techniques and enhance understanding of genetic aspects. A Fahr's Disease
registry has been developed and families are invited to register cases of
Fahr's Disease with:
Bala V. Manyam, M.D.
Fahr's Disease Registry
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
P.O. Box 19230
Springfield, IL 62794-9230
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
April 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Fahr's Disease, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic
Bala V. Manyam, M.D.
Fahr's Disease Registry
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
P.O. Box 19230
Springfield, IL 62794-9230
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5751
(800) 352-9424
For Genetic Information and genetic counseling referrals:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
IDIOPATHIC NONARTERIOSCLEROTIC CEREBRAL CALCIFICATION (FAHR'S DISEASE):
AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY: S. Kobayashi, et al.; Acta Neuropathol (Berl)
(1987, issue 73(1)). Pp. 62-66.
THE TREATMENT OF PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS IN FAHR'S DISEASE WITH LITHIUM
CARBONATE: K.M. Munir; J Clin Psychopharmacol. (February 1986, issue 6(1)).
Pp. 36-38.
MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 7th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1986. P. 879.