# Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification presenting with obsessive‐compulsive symptoms: A case report

## TL;DR

A middle-aged man with obsessive-compulsive symptoms was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder called idiopathic basal ganglia calcification, highlighting the need to consider this condition in psychiatric evaluations.

## Contribution

This case report emphasizes the underdiagnosed nature of IBGC and its potential to present with psychiatric symptoms.

## Key findings

- A Japanese man with obsessive-compulsive symptoms was diagnosed with IBGC through imaging and genetic testing.
- IBGC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric symptoms in middle-aged patients.
- Population data suggest IBGC is more common than previously thought.

## Abstract

Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC), also known as Farh's disease, is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by calcification of the basal ganglia and other brain regions. This disease usually occurs in middle‐aged patients and presents with various neurological and psychiatric symptoms. The exact prevalence is unknown; however, population genomic data analysis suggests a prevalence of at least 4.5/10,000 to 3.3/1000, indicating that the disease is more common than previously thought and remains underdiagnosed.

We report the case of a middle‐aged Japanese man who attempted suicide twice because of obsessive‐compulsive ideation caused by trivial triggers. The patient's psychiatric symptoms resolved relatively quickly after hospitalization, and imaging and genetic testing led to a diagnosis of IBGC.

This case report illustrates the importance of including IBGC in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric symptoms that initially develop in middle‐aged patients.

Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by calcification of the basal ganglia and other brain regions. A middle‐aged Japanese man who attempted suicide twice because of obsessive thoughts was finally diagnosed with IBGC by imaging and genetic testing. This case report illustrates the importance of including IBGC in the differential diagnosis of psychiatric symptoms that initially develop in middle‐aged patients.