Huntington latente desenmascarado por aripiprazol

Abstract

Huntington's disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder whose symptoms include movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and psychiatric symptoms, and usually appear between the ages of 30 and 50. We present the case of a 31-year-old woman admitted to Psychiatry for the first time due to a depressive episode with suicidal ideation. Previously evaluated by Neurology without a clear diagnosis, due to movement alterations, stereotypies and motor incoordination. The presence of motor symptoms during admission led to an interconsultation with the Neurology Department. Extrapyramidal syndrome was diagnosed and Huntington's disease was suspected, later confirmed by genetic studies. After adjusting the medication and eliminating aripiprazole, depressive and motor symptoms improved. This case highlights the importance of considering neurodegenerative diseases when psychiatric, motor, and cognitive symptoms are present simultaneously. In addition, it shows how the side effects of drugs can unmask latent diseases.