Septo-optic dysplasia and psychiatric disorders: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Septo-optic dysplasia, a variable combination of abnormalities of cerebral midline structures, is a clinically heterogeneous syndrome in which the midline defects may be implicated in psychiatric disturbances.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of septo-optic dysplasia associated with depression and psychosis and to discuss the role of these developmental abnormalities in psychiatric disturbances.

METHODS

The patient's clinico-anamnestic, neuroradiologic, neuropsychiatric, endocrinologic, ophthalmologic, and genetic profile was evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

Developmental abnormalities due to disruption of the complex neural network linking the septum pellucidum with other limbic structures may have been involved in the affective and psychotic disturbances observed in our patient.