[Psychotic symptoms as initial manifestation of a multiple system atrophy]

Multiple system atrophy is a disease characterised clinically by any combination of parkinsonian, pyramidal, autonomic or cerebellar symptoms and signs. This neurological status is often complicated by associated mental disturbances such as deficits in concentration, memory or learning. There are only very few reports in the literature describing cases of multiple system atrophy associated with psychotic symptoms. We report on two cases in which psychotic symptoms were the initial manifestation of multiple system atrophy. In view of the known neuropathologic and biochemical changes in multiple system atrophy the concurrent incidence of paranoid-hallucinatoric symptoms seems not uncommon and should be studied further.