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Psychiatric onset of multiple sclerosis

Peter J H Jongen1

  • 1Multiple Sclerosis Centre Nijmegen, Heiweg 97, 6533 PA Nijmegen, The Netherlands. p.jongen@mscentrumnijmegen.nl

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|April 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Psychotic disorder can be the first sign of multiple sclerosis (MS). Even minor neurological signs warrant brain MRI in patients with acute psychosis to diagnose MS early.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Psychiatric symptoms can be the initial presentation of neurological diseases.
  • Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) can manifest with psychiatric disturbances.

Observation:

  • A 26-year-old female presented with psychotic disorder as the initial symptom of relapsing-remitting MS.
  • Neurological examination revealed only minor abnormalities, and cranial CT was normal, leading to an initial psychogenic diagnosis.

Findings:

  • Psychiatric onset of MS occurs in up to 1% of patients.
  • Early diagnosis of MS requires considering psychiatric presentations.

Implications:

  • Acute psychotic disorder in previously healthy individuals, even with subtle neurological findings, warrants cranial MRI.
  • Recognizing psychiatric manifestations of MS is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

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