HYBRID EVENT: You can participate in person at Orlando, Florida, USA or Virtually from your home or work.

12th Edition of International Conference on Neurology and Brain Disorders

October 20-22, 2025

October 20 -22, 2025 | Orlando, Florida, USA
INBC 2025

Freudian slips and ferrous chips: Neuropsychiatric presentation of brain iron accumulation

Speaker at Neurology Conferences - Sukesh Gerard
St John's National Institute of Health Sciences, India
Title : Freudian slips and ferrous chips: Neuropsychiatric presentation of brain iron accumulation

Abstract:

Background: Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) is an exceptionally rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder marked by abnormal iron deposition in the brain, particularly the basal ganglia. The global incidence is extremely low, and its clinical manifestations can be diverse, including both movement and neuropsychiatric symptoms, making diagnosis challenging—especially when comorbid with common conditions like diabetes mellitus.
Case details: We report a case of a middle-aged male who presented with prominent emotional lability, easy fatiguability, and increased irritability. Laboratory workup revealed persistently uncontrolled blood glucose. Due to the presence of pronounced neuropsychiatric symptoms, further evaluation with brain MRI was performed, revealing characteristic findings of NBIA with iron accumulation in the basal ganglia.
Management: Our patient was managed with iron chelation therapy, aimed at reducing brain iron stores, while also optimizing glycemic control through standard measures. Over subsequent follow-up, the patient experienced marked improvement in his emotional stability and reduction in neuropsychiatric symptoms, along with better control of blood glucose.
Conclusion: NBIA is a rare cause of neuropsychiatric and movement abnormalities that should be considered in patients with atypical presentations, especially when neuroimaging reveals iron accumulation. Early identification and initiation of chelation therapy, though supportive, can lead to clinical improvement.

Biography:

Dr. Sukesh Gerard completed his MD at St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, in 2023 and joined the Internal Medicine department. Over the past two years, he has mentored undergraduates, collaborated with multiple subspecialties, and worked closely with the Infectious Disease Unit. He is part of a joint institute–WHO team analyzing Vaccine Preventable Infections in the state and has presented several case reports on rare disease presentations.

Watsapp