Balint syndrome (chronic visual-spatial disorder) presenting without known cause.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Neurology

Background:

• Balint's syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by simultanagnosia, optic apraxia, and ocular apraxia.
• It results from bilateral injury to the posterior parietal and occipital lobes, with diverse potential causes including trauma, infarction, infection, tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases.
• The syndrome can be an early manifestation of conditions like atypical Alzheimer's disease.

Observation:

• A 62-year-old female presented with classic symptoms of Balint's syndrome: simultanagnosia, optic apraxia, and ocular ataxia.
• Neuropsychological testing revealed significant visual-spatial dysfunction, while memory, language, and general cognition remained intact.
• Brain imaging demonstrated atrophy and reduced perfusion in the posterior parietal and occipital regions.

Findings:

• No specific underlying cause was identified for the observed brain atrophy and hypoperfusion.
• Follow-up assessments indicated a static disease course with no progression of symptoms or imaging abnormalities.
• The case underscores the possibility of Balint's syndrome with an idiopathic and non-progressive etiology.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of Balint's syndrome, particularly idiopathic and static presentations.
• It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive neuropsychological and neuroimaging evaluations for accurate diagnosis.
• Further research into the pathogenesis of idiopathic Balint's syndrome is warranted.