The Psychiatric Manifestations of Sturge Weber Syndrome: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by leptomeningeal angiomas and facial port-wine stains. Although clinical features such as seizures and glaucoma are well-documented, psychiatric manifestations remain underexplored. This scoping review examines the extant literature to characterize the prevalence, associated comorbidities, contributing factors, and treatment approaches for psychiatric symptoms and disorders in individuals with Sturge-Weber syndrome. Despite variable prevalence rates, individuals with Sturge-Weber syndrome are at elevated risk for psychiatric issues, particularly depression. Anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, psychotic symptoms, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also frequently identified as significant concerns for individuals with Sturge-Weber syndrome. These observations underscore the importance of recognizing psychiatric vulnerabilities in Sturge-Weber syndrome and integrating mental health evaluation into clinical care. Implications for treatment are discussed. Future, rigorously designed research studies with larger sample sizes are essential to better delineate the prevalence and impact of psychiatric disorders in this population.