Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration
Symptoms
Dementia - Involuntary muscle contractions (
dystonia ) - Movement problems
Muscle rigidity Seizures Spasticity - Tremor
- Vision changes
- Weakness
- Writhing movements
Signs and tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about the patient's medical history. It is important to get a complete medical and family history, since the condition can run in families.
A neurological examination will show:
- Abnormal postures and movements
- Muscle rigidity
- Tremors
- Weakness
Genetic tests can look for the defective gene that causes the disease. However, this test is not yet widely available. It is only found at certain research laboratories.
Tests such as
Previous Section
Review Date: 09/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of
Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
