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Brain calcifications induce neurological dysfunction that can be reversed by a bone drug
Jeffrey A Loeb1, Sayyed A Sohrab, Mabubul Huq
1Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. jloeb@med.wayne.edu
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|January 25, 2006
Summary
Brain calcifications, or "brain stones," may cause neurological issues. Treatment with bisphosphonates, drugs typically for bone diseases, showed preliminary success in improving symptoms like seizures and parkinsonism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Perivascular calcifications in the brain, termed
- brain stones
- are calcium phosphate deposits that can form due to various insults.
- While often considered benign, they can enlarge and correlate with neurological deficits.
Observation:
- High calcium concentrations in brain calcifications may exert reversible toxic effects on neurons.
- These deposits are associated with progressive neurological symptoms, including seizures and parkinsonism.
Findings:
- Preliminary data indicate a direct link between brain calcification progression and worsening neurological symptoms.
- Patients treated with disodium etidronate, a bisphosphonate drug, experienced symptomatic improvement in seizures, headaches, and parkinsonian symptoms.
Implications:
- Bisphosphonates, used for bone diseases, show potential in managing neurological symptoms associated with brain calcifications.
- Further longitudinal studies and randomized trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy of bisphosphonates for brain stone treatment and prevention.
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