Asperger's Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Asperger's Syndrome, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medication.

Psychiatric comorbidity in adult patients with hypothalamic hamartoma.

Ali S, Moriarty J, Mullatti N, David A

Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. sali7@partners.org

The objective was to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in adults with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH). A standardized clinical interview and assessment scales were used to assess for depression, anxiety, personality, and sexual behavior, based on previous findings in the pediatric population. We found a high prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders, with Major Depressive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder being the most common. "Anxious" personality types were the most common. Symptoms of Asperger syndrome were high in males versus females. We concluded that depression and anxiety are common in adult patients with HH. Remission of cognitive, behavioral, and autistic symptoms has been reported with surgical tumor resection. Whether this can correct the psychiatric disturbances remains to be investigated. The need for adjunctive psychiatric treatment may nevertheless remain.

Published 17 July 2006 in Epilepsy Behav, 9(1): 111-8.
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