Hallervorden-Spatz disease

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Symptoms typically begin in childhood and slowly get worse, often resulting in death by early adulthood. These include:

• Dystonia
• Stiff or rigid arms and legs
• Tremor
• Writhing movements
• Dementia
• Spasticity
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Vision changes

A neurological examination would show evidence of muscle rigidity, weakness, and abnormal postures, movements, and tremors. If other family members are also affected, this may help determine the diagnosis.

Genetic tests can confirm if the patient has the defect gene that causes the disease. However, this test is not yet widely available. Other movement disorders and diseases must be ruled out. An MRI usually shows iron deposits in the basal ganglia.

Review Date: 08/26/2006
Reviewed By: Gail A. Kang, M.D., San Francisco VA Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, & Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.