Dementia and Parkinson-like syndrome with basal ganglia lesion in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Brain lesions in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are generally located at sites of high anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression. Clinical features of NMOSD associated with basal ganglia damage in sites not enriched with AQP4 remain unknown. Here we describe the case of an 82-year-old woman who developed dementia and bradykinesia for 5 weeks. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed obvious basal ganglia abnormalities. Test for serum anti-AQP4 antibody was positive, and she was diagnosed with NMOSD. Our case showed that NMOSD associated with dementia and/or Parkinson-like syndrome with basal ganglia lesions could be another clinical presentation in NMOSD.

Automated summary

This case demonstrates that NMOSD associated with dementia and/or Parkinson-like syndrome with basal ganglia lesions could be another clinical presentation in NMOSD, even in sites not enriched with AQP4.