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Recurrent alien hand syndrome in a multiple sclerosis case

Asli Kurne1, Gul Yalcin Cakmakli, Rana Karabudak

  • 1Department of Neurology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

The Neurologist
|September 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Alien hand syndrome, where a hand acts on its own, is rarely seen in multiple sclerosis (MS). This case highlights callosal MS lesions causing alien hand syndrome symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience
  • Demyelinating Diseases

Background:

  • Alien hand syndrome (AHS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by a limb's involuntary, independent movement.
  • While associated with various brain lesions, its occurrence in multiple sclerosis (MS) is infrequently documented.

Observation:

  • A 34-year-old female diagnosed with multiple sclerosis presented with recurrent episodes of alien hand syndrome.
  • Clinical evaluation and cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed demyelinating lesions specifically in the corpus callosum.

Findings:

  • The patient's symptoms were recurrent and initially misattributed as multiple sclerosis exacerbations.
  • The observed symptoms and lesion location in the corpus callosum allowed for classification as a "callosal alien hand" case.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering alien hand syndrome in MS patients with specific neurological presentations.
  • Understanding the link between callosal lesions and alien hand syndrome in MS can refine diagnostic approaches.
  • Further research into the neuroanatomical basis of alien hand syndrome in demyelinating diseases is warranted.

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