Definition:
Fahr's disease is an uncommon genetically dominant neurological disorder in which there is a presence of abnormal calcium deposits in brain areas that control movement, including the ‘cerebral cortex’ and ‘basal ganglia’. This condition is frequently referred to as IBGC or ‘idiopathic basal ganglia calcification’, as there’s no obvious explanation for calcification within these regions of the brain.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosing Fahr's disease includes several approaches, such as clinical examinations and tests, tomographic scan, imaging scan, and psychiatric examination.
Treatment:
No cure or a standard procedure of treatment has been found for the disease. Treatments address the symptoms of affected individuals on a case-to-case basis. Some reports suggest that lithium carbonate or haloperidol can help alleviate psychotic symptoms.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms associated with the disease include dementia or progressive decline of one’s cognitive abilities, as well as the loss of obtained motor skills. As this condition develops, paralysis that’s linked to increased stiffness of the muscle can occur. Other abnormalities can include chorea or athetosis, and nerve fiber gradual deterioration.
Causes:
Fahr's disease appears to happen randomly for unidentified reasons. However, it has also been reported to be often familial, passed on as ‘autosomal recessive’ trait or ‘autosomal dominant inheritance’. A number of experts believe that it can sometimes be the result of an unknown infection at pregnancy that affects the fetus’ development.
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