Functional neurologic disorders in an adult with propionic acidemia: a case report

Alexis Tarrada,Solène Frismand-Kryloff,Coraline Hingray

doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03596-2

Alexis Tarrada, Solène Frismand-Kryloff + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03596-2

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundInborn errors of metabolism are often characterized by various psychiatric syndromes. Previous studies tend to classify psychiatric manifestations into clinical entities. Among inborn errors of metabolism, propionic acidemia (PA) is a rare inherited organic aciduria that leads to neurologic disabilities. Several studies in children with PA demonstrated that psychiatric disorders are associated to neurological symptoms. To our knowledge, no psychopathological description in adult with propionic acidemia is available.Case presentationWe aimed to compare the case of a 53-year-old woman with PA, to the previous psychiatric descriptions in children with PA and in adults with other inborn errors of metabolism. Our patient presented a large variety of signs: functional neurologic disorders, borderline personality traits (emotional dyregulation, dissociative and alexithymic trends, obsessive-compulsive disorders), occurring in a context of neurodevelopmental disorder.ConclusionClinical and paraclinical examinations are in favor of a mild mental retardation since childhood and disorders of behavior and personality without any definite psychiatric syndrome, as already described in other metabolic diseases (group 3). Nonetheless, further studies are needed to clarify the psychiatric alterations within adult patients with PA.

Highlights

ConclusionClinical and paraclinical examinations are in favor of a mild mental retardation since childhood and dis‐ orders of behavior and personality without any definite psychiatric syndrome, as already described in other metabolic diseases (group 3)
Inborn errors of metabolism are often characterized by various psychiatric syndromes
Clinical and paraclinical examinations are in favor of a mild mental retardation since childhood and dis‐ orders of behavior and personality without any definite psychiatric syndrome, as already described in other metabolic diseases

Summary

Conclusion

Clinical and paraclinical examinations are in favor of a mild mental retardation since childhood and dis‐ orders of behavior and personality without any definite psychiatric syndrome, as already described in other metabolic diseases (group 3).

Background

Findings

Discussion and conclusion