An atypic case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis; Presenting with prolonged depressive symptoms

Abstract

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory, immune-mediated disease of central nervous system. Typically, various degrees of mental state alterations and multifocal neurological deficits can be observed in these cases. The disease usually progresses in a few hours to days. Presentation with psychiatric symptoms is not often. Recently there are a few cases reported to have psychotic symptoms as the initial signs. Here we report on an unusual case of ADEM who had presented with depressive symptoms and whose psychiatric symptoms continued for 3 weeks before multifocal neurological deficits occurred. © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.