Síndrome fronto-subcortical: cuando la red falla, a propósito de un caso / Frontal-subcortical syndrome: When the network fails, about a case

La depresión y el parkinsonismo son consecuencias directas de una lesión, por lo general vascular, que compromete alguna estructura del circuito fronto-subcortical. Su detección representa un desafío diagnóstico, y tiene importantes repercusiones en el manejo terapéutico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente varón de 79 años con buena situación basal global, que ingresa a una unidad de psicogeriatría tras un intento autolítico. Inicialmente se objetiva una depresión franca no psicótica, y llama la atención un aumento de la base de sustentación a la marcha y bradicinesia. Tras el ajuste de tratamiento antidepresivo se evidencia una notable mejoría de la sintomatología afectiva, pero no motora, por lo que se decide solicitar una resonancia magnética que objetiva lesiones isquémicas en ganglios basales. Este caso representa un claro soporte del modelo de circuitos fronto-subcorticales, en el que la presentación clínica, la evaluación neuropsiquiátrica, los datos de neuroimagen y la respuesta terapéutica contribuyen a la comprensión de los déficits que siguen a la lesión de estas estructuras Consideramos que con este artículo se podrá contar con una información breve y precisa con relación a los mecanismos fisiopatológicos, evaluación, planteamiento diagnóstico y tratamiento del síndrome fronto-subcortical (AU)

Depression and parkinsonism are direct consequences of a lesion, usually vascular, that affects some structure of the frontal-subcortical circuit. Their detection represents a diagnostic challenge and has important repercussions in therapeutic management. The case is presented of a 79-year-old male patient with good overall baseline status, who was admitted to a Psychogeriatric Unit after an autolytic attempt. Initially, a non-psychotic frank depression is observed, and an increase in the base of support for walking and bradykinesia is noted. After adjustment of antidepressant treatment, a notable improvement in affective symptoms is evidenced but not in motor symptoms, so it is decided to request a magnetic resonance imaging that shows ischemic lesions in the basal ganglia. This case provides clear support for the frontal-subcortical circuit model, in which the clinical presentation, neuropsychiatric evaluation, neuroimaging data and therapeutic response contribute to understanding the deficits following these types of lesions. We believe that this article will provide brief and accurate information on the pathophysiological mechanisms, evaluation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of the frontal-subcortical syndrome (AU)

[Frontal-subcortical syndrome: When the network fails, about a case]. / Síndrome fronto-subcortical: cuando la red falla, a propósito de un caso.

Depression and parkinsonism are direct consequences of a lesion, usually vascular, that affects some structure of the frontal-subcortical circuit. Their detection represents a diagnostic challenge and has important repercussions in therapeutic management. The case is presented of a 79-year-old male patient with good overall baseline status, who was admitted to a Psychogeriatric Unit after an autolytic attempt. Initially, a non-psychotic frank depression is observed, and an increase in the base of support for walking and bradykinesia is noted. After adjustment of antidepressant treatment, a notable improvement in affective symptoms is evidenced but not in motor symptoms, so it is decided to request a magnetic resonance imaging that shows ischemic lesions in the basal ganglia. This case provides clear support for the frontal-subcortical circuit model, in which the clinical presentation, neuropsychiatric evaluation, neuroimaging data and therapeutic response contribute to understanding the deficits following these types of lesions. We believe that this article will provide brief and accurate information on the pathophysiological mechanisms, evaluation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of the frontal-subcortical syndrome.

Depression in the Elderly. Consensus Statement of the Spanish Psychogeriatric Association.

INTRODUCTION: Present knowledge about depression in the elderly is still scarce and often controversial, despite its high frequency and impact. This article reports the results and most relevant conclusions of a Delphi-based consensus on geriatric depression promoted by the Spanish Psychogeriatric Association. METHODS: A 78-item questionnaire was developed by 7 highly specialized geriatric psychiatrists and was evaluated using the Modified Delphi technique in two rounds answered by 35 psychiatrists with an extensive expertise in geriatric depression. The topics and number of questions (in brackets) covered were: concepts, clinical aspects, and risk factors (12); screening and diagnosis (7); psychotic depression (17); depression and dementia (5); antidepressant drug treatment (18); non-pharmacological biological treatments (5); psychotherapeutic treatments (4); comorbidity and preventive aspects (6); professional training needed (4). In addition, the expert panel's opinion on the antidepressants of choice in 21 common comorbid conditions and on different strategies to approach treatment-resistant cases in terms of both efficacy and safety was assessed. RESULTS: After the two rounds of the Delphi process, consensus was reached for 59 (75.6%) of the 78 items. Detailed recommendations are included in the text. Considering pharmacological treatments, agomelatine was the most widely mentioned drug to be recommended in terms of safety in comorbid conditions. Desvenlafaxine, sertraline, and vortioxetine, were the most frequently recommended antidepressants in comorbid conditions in general. Combining parameters of efficacy and safety, experts recommended the following steps to address cases of treatment resistance: 1. Escalation to the maximum tolerated dose; 2. Change of antidepressant; 3. Combination with another antidepressant; 4. Potentiation with an antipsychotic or with lamotrigine; 5. Potentiation with lithium; 6. Potentiation with dopamine agonists or methylphenidate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was reached for a high number of items as well as for the management of depression in the context of comorbid conditions and in resistant cases. In the current absence of sufficient evidence-based information, our results can be used to inform medical doctors about clinical recommendations that might reduce uncertainty in the diagnosis and treatment of elderly patients with depressive disorders.