Acquired dementia with retinitis pigmentosa.

The coexistence of mental retardation and retinitis pigmentosa has been well described in a number of congenital syndromes such as the Lawrence-Moon and Bardet-Biedl disorders. In contrast to this, little information is available regarding the association of acquired dementia with retinitis pigmentosa. This report summarizes the clinical features of a developmentally normal adult having the unusual symptom complex of retinitis pigmentosa, early-onset dementia, sensorineural hearing loss, and sensorimotor neuropathy. Though the coexistence of retinitis pigmentosa and dementia in this particular patient may be completely coincidental, it could be representative of a previously unrecognized subset of dementing illness. The literature pertaining to related symptom complexes is reviewed and discussed.