Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Brief Clinical Note

Wilson's disease presenting as Asperger syndrome

Kazuhiro Tomiyasu, M.D., Ph.D.1), Takeo Oshima, M.D.1), Masami Yoshii, M.D.1), Hiromi Suzuki, M.D.1), Joji Inamasu, M.D., Ph.D.2) and Manabu Izumi, M.D.3)

1)Department of Neurology, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital
2)Department of Neurosurgery, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital
3)Department of General Internal Medicine, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital

A 24-year-old man, who had been treated for 3 years as Asperger syndrome in adolescence due to behavioral disturbances, lack of social awareness and inability to socialize, was referred to our hospital shortly after tremors developed. On the basis of clinical features, laboratory findings and the brain MRI, a diagnosis of Wilson's disease (WD) was made. WD was further confirmed by genetic testing (the mutation of ATP7B gene). He was started with trientine hydrochloride 500 mg/day, and after 1 year of follow-up, his psychiatric symptoms have improved. Since psychiatric symptoms may precede the neurological symptoms, the possibility of WD should be always considered in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in young adults.
Full Text of this Article in Japanese PDF (448K)

(CLINICA NEUROL, 59: 589|591, 2019)
key words: Wilson's disease, Asperger syndrome, psychiatric symptom

(Received: 30-Oct-18)