The Association between Intracranial Calcifications and Symptoms in Patients with Primary Familial Brain Calcification

Abstract

(1) Background: Primary Familial Brain Calcification (PFBC) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by bilateral calcifications of the basal ganglia and other intracranial areas. Many patients experience symptoms of motor dysfunction and cognitive disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the amount and location of intracranial calcifications with these symptoms. (2) Methods: Patients with suspected PFBC referred to our outpatient clinic underwent a clinical work-up. Intracranial calcifications were visualized on Computed Tomography (CT), and a Total Calcification Score (TCS) was constructed. Logistic and linear regression models were performed. (3) Results: Fifty patients with PFBC were included in this study (median age 64.0 years, 50% women). Of the forty-one symptomatic patients (82.0%), 78.8% showed motor dysfunction, and 70.7% showed cognitive disorders. In multivariate analysis, the TCS was associated with bradykinesia/hypokinesia (OR 1.07, 95%-CI 1.02-1.12, p < 0.01), gait ataxia (OR 1.06, 95%-CI 1.00-1.12, p = 0.04), increased fall risk (OR 1.04, 95%-CI 1.00-1.08, p = 0.03), and attention/processing speed disorders (OR 1.06, 95%-CI 1.01-1.12, p = 0.02). Calcifications of the lentiform nucleus and subcortical white matter were associated with motor and cognitive disorders. (4) Conclusions: cognitive and motor symptoms are common among patients with PFBC, and there is an association between intracranial calcifications and these symptoms.