Neuropsychiatric symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxias and Friedreich ataxia

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105205

Review

. 2023 Jul:150:105205.

doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105205. Epub 2023 May 1.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxias and Friedreich ataxia

Simona Karamazovova¹, Veronika Matuskova¹, Zahinoor Ismail², Martin Vyhnalek³

Affiliations

¹ Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
² Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
³ Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 37137435
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105205

Free article

Review

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxias and Friedreich ataxia

Simona Karamazovova et al. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Jul.

Free article

. 2023 Jul:150:105205.

doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105205. Epub 2023 May 1.

Authors

Simona Karamazovova¹, Veronika Matuskova¹, Zahinoor Ismail², Martin Vyhnalek³

Affiliations

¹ Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
² Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Departments of Psychiatry, Clinical Neurosciences, and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
³ Center of Hereditary Ataxias, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 37137435
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105205

Abstract

Apart from its role in motor coordination, the importance of the cerebellum in cognitive and affective processes has been recognized in the past few decades. Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) and Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) are rare neurodegenerative diseases of the cerebellum presenting mainly with a progressive loss of gait and limb coordination, dysarthria, and other motor disturbances, but also a range of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on neuropsychiatric impairment in SCA and FRDA. We discuss the prevalence, clinical features and treatment approaches in the most commonly reported domains of depression, anxiety, apathy, agitation and impulse dyscontrol, and psychosis. Since these symptoms have a considerable impact on patients' quality of life, we argue that further research is mandated to improve the detection and treatment options of neuropsychiatric co-morbidities in ataxia patients.

Keywords: Agitation; Anxiety; Apathy; Depression; Friedreich ataxia; Neuropsychiatric symptoms; Psychosis; Spinocerebellar ataxia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest None.

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Neuropsychiatric symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxias and Friedreich ataxia

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Neuropsychiatric symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxias and Friedreich ataxia

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