Neuro Case Challenge: A 35-Year-Old With Angry, Aggressive Outbursts, Memory Loss, and Insomnia  

Niranjan N. Singh, MBBS, MD, DM

Disclosures

October 04, 2022

Editor's Note:
The Case Challenge series includes difficult-to-diagnose conditions, some of which are not frequently encountered by most clinicians but are nonetheless important to accurately recognize. Test your diagnostic and treatment skills using the following patient scenario and corresponding questions. If you have a case that you would like to suggest for a future Case Challenge, please contact us.

Background

A 35-year-old man presents to the neurology clinic due to abnormal movements over the past 6 years. The involuntary movements began in the right upper limb, followed sequentially by the left upper limb, left lower limb, and finally the head and neck. The movements occur during wakefulness and are absent in sleep. They are described as jerky and nonpurposeful. His gait has assumed a dancelike character. He also has had behavioral changes that include frequent outbursts of anger, aggressive behavior, depressive mood, and insomnia. His abnormal movements are aggravated during outbursts of anger and disturbances in mood.

He has no weakness in any limbs but is unable to perform regular household activities. Family members have also noted memory impairment. He has been unable to continue his work as a machine operator for the past 3 months.

He has no history of drug intake, including phenytoin, phenothiazines, haloperidol, L-dopa, lithium, isoniazid, amphetamines, tricyclic antidepressants, or any other relevant drugs. He reports no history of chest pain, breathlessness, or joint pain. His family history includes a paternal grandfather and father who had similar forms of abnormal movements and died at the age of 60 years and 55 years, respectively.

The patient has five siblings (two brothers, three sisters). His elder brother died by suicide at age 25 years, and his elder sister died at age 33 years. Both had abnormal movements and abnormal behaviors. One of his younger sisters (age 22 years) also has similar abnormal movements and depressed attitude. His younger brother (age 17 years) and other younger sister (age 14 years) are healthy and symptom-free. The patient's children, an 8-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter, are symptom-free.

His past medical history is positive for hypertension, which is well controlled with lisinopril (20 mg daily). He has no surgical history. He does not smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs.

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