Rapidly-progressive catatonia responsive to zolpidem in a patient with ovarian teratoma-associated paraneoplastic encephalitis. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amorim, Edilberto; McDade, Eric M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical neuroscience. Volume 30(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 138
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Catatonia -- Ovarian teratoma -- Paraneoplastic encephalitis -- Zolpidem; Brain -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Brain -- surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosurgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2016.01.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-5868

Abstract

Highlights: Psychiatric symptoms and catatonia are key components of the clinical presentation of paraneoplastic encephalitis. Rapidly progressive catatonia unresponsive to immunotherapy, tumor resection, electroconvulsive therapy, or benzodiazepines improved with zolpidem. Zolpidem is an option in the treatment of patients with refractory catatonia and paraneoplastic encephalitis. Abstract: Psychiatric symptoms and catatonia are key components of the clinical presentation of paraneoplastic encephalitis; additionally symptoms can be long-lasting and often difficult to treat. We report a 73-year-old patient with rapidly progressive catatonia not responsive to immunotherapy, tumor resection, electroconvulsive therapy, or benzodiazepines who had significant improvement after zolpidem administration. This report suggests that zolpidem is an option in the treatment of patients with refractory catatonia and paraneoplastic encephalitis.