Basal ganglia calcification and psychotic symptoms in the very old.
BACKGROUND
Basal ganglia calcification (BGC) is associated with psychotic symptoms in young and middle-aged patient samples.


METHODS
We studied the cross-sectional relationship between psychotic symptoms and BGC in a population sample of non-demented 85-year-olds, of whom 86 were mentally healthy, 11 had hallucinations or delusions, 21 had mood disorders and 20 had anxiety disorders. BGC was measured using computerized tomography (CT). Mental disorders were diagnosed using DSM-III-R criteria and psychotic symptoms were evaluated using information from psychiatric examinations, key-informant interviews and review medical records.


RESULTS
BGC on CT was observed in 19% of mentally healthy and 64% of non-demented individuals with hallucinations or delusions [Odds Ratio (OR) 7.7, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 2.9-29.7, p=0.003]. There were no associations between BGC and mood or anxiety disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
BGC is strongly associated with psychotic symptoms in very old age, possibly due to a disturbance in the basal ganglia dopaminergic system.
Ostling
Svante
S
The Sahlgrenska Academy AT Göteborg University, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Unit for Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. svante.ostling@neuro.gu.se
Andreasson
Lars Arne
LA
Skoog
Ingmar
I
D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed