Late Onset Neurodegeneration with Brain-Iron Accumulation Presenting as Parkinsonism

Abstract

Neurodegeneration with brain-iron accumulation (NBIA) encompasses a family of neurodegenerative disorders connected by evidence of abnormal brain iron deposition. Advances in imaging and genetic testing expanded the clinical spectrum of these disorders. Here, a case of parkinsonism and dystonia with orofacial stereotypies is presented. While the patient was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and placed on levodopa therapy, dopamine transporter imaging via (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT (DaTSCAN) was normal. MRI brain showed “eye of the tiger” sign on T2 weighted imaging. NBIA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism.