Adult catatonia: Prospective cohort study in a Spanish general hospital.

The diagnostic criteria and structure of catatonia

We found only one small, short-term trial suggesting that risperidone may improve catatonic and positive symptoms scale scores amongst people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and catatonic symptoms, but that ECT may result in greater improvement in the first three weeks of treatment. Due to small sample size, methodological shortcomings and brief duration of the study, as well as risk of bias, the evidence from this review is of very low quality. We are uncertain if these are true effects, limiting any conclusions that can be drawn from the evidence. No cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome were reported, but we cannot rule out the risk of this or other rare adverse events in larger population samples. High-quality trials continue to be necessary to differentiate treatments for people with symptoms of catatonia in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The lack of consensus on the psychopathology of catatonia remains a barrier to defining treatments for people with schizophrenia. Better understanding of the efficacy and safety of antipsychotics may clarify treatment for this unique subtype of schizophrenia.

Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: Multidisciplinary Development of a Clinical Practice Guideline.

Catatonia in acute psychiatric patients

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for schizophrenia and mood disorders; however, most evidence is derived from the adult population, with less evidence in adolescents. We sought to determine the use of ECT in adolescents in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and evaluate the treatment outcome. We conducted a retrospective naturalistic analysis of ECT registry data of patients aged from 10 to 19 years from March 2017 to March 2023. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the demographics and clinical characteristics. Paired t tests were used to compare the change in clinical outcome scores, including the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Clinical Global Impressions Scale - Severity (CGI-S), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) before and after 2 weeks of ECT treatment. Fifty-five patients were included for analysis. There was a significant improvement in BPRS ( P < 0.001), MADRS ( P = 0.005), and CGI-S ( P < 0.001), and the average CGI-I score was 2.275 (SD, 0.81), which is equivalent to "much improved" after 6 sessions of treatment. Of all patients, 48.5% showed significant clinical improvement. There was no significant change in MoCA scores ( P = 0.218). Our preliminary findings show that ECT is a safe, rapid, and effective treatment for psychotic and mood disorders in adolescents. Further studies with a larger sample size and specific subgroup analysis are needed to establish the effectiveness of ECT and identify predictors of response in this population.

ObjectiveCatatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome, with important psychomotor features, associated with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. The syndrome comprises multiple symptoms including abnormal motor control, behaviors, volition, and autonomic regulation. Catatonia assessment relies on clinical rating scales and clinicians familiar with the catatonia exam. However, objective instrumentation may aid the detection of catatonia. We aimed to investigate the relationship between movement parameters derived from actigraphy and expert ratings of catatonia symptoms measured by the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS) and the Northoff Catatonia scale (NCS).MethodsEighty-six acutely ill inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders were assessed with the BFCRS, the NCS, and 24 h continuous actigraphy. Non-wear and sleep periods were removed from the actigraphy data prior to analysis. Associations between total catatonia scores, derived from both BFCRS and NCS, and actigraphy parameters as well as between single BFCRS items and actigraphy parameters were calculated using Spearman's rank correlation and non-parametric ANCOVAs (Quade's ANCOVAs), respectively.ResultsBoth higher BFCRS total scores (r = 0.369, p = 0.006) and NCS total scores (r = 0.384, p = 0.004) were associated with lower activity levels (AL). Higher scores on single BFCRS items such as immobility/stupor or staring were linked to lower AL (immobility/stupor: F = 17.388, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.175; staring: F = 7.849, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.162) and lower metabolic equivalents of task (MET).ConclusionSpecific catatonia symptoms such as immobility/stupor and staring can be measured with actigraphy. This may aid the detection, staging, and monitoring of catatonia in clinical settings.

There is a paucity of empirical data establishing the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with mental retardation and psychiatric disorders. This study examines the efficacy of ECT on specific symptoms and between psychiatric diagnoses in patients with mental retardation who are psychiatrically ill. A chart review was performed on 20 inpatients who had received ECT on a dedicated Mental Retardation-Dual Diagnosis Unit and were divided into 3 categories: mood disorders (n = 12), psychotic disorders (n = 6), and intermittent explosive disorder (n = 2). Ratings were performed 1 week before ECT treatment and 1-week after its termination using the Aberrant Behavior Checklist and the Clinical Global Impressions Severity Scale. A repeated-measures analysis of variance comparing Aberrant Behavior Checklist scale scores revealed a significant time-by-treatment interaction (F = 75.43, df = 1,9, P = 0.000, 2 t). The mood disorder and psychotic disorder groups had significantly lower irritability and hyperactivity scores after treatment compared with the intermittent explosive disorder group. The Clinical Global Impressions Severity Scale rating scores showed significant improvement in the mood disorders group (67%), in contrast to the intermittent explosive disorder group (0%). Our data suggests the utility of ECT for patients with mental retardation who also have treatment-resistant mood disorders and psychotic disorders, particularly with symptoms of hyperactivity and irritability. The data are sufficiently encouraging to justify prospective research of this question.

P276 Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) replaces Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in a patient with corpus callosum agenesis and catatonic schizophrenia

Objectives:Rapid intervention for catatonia with benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy can prevent fatal complications. We describe the management and treatment response of 44 patients with catatonia in a psychiatric unit in urban South Africa. The objective was to screen admissions for catatonia and investigate management, treatment response, and treatment outcomes.Method:We used a prospective, descriptive, observational study design and collected data using a data collection sheet, the Bush Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument, the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale, and the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5 to assess catatonia in new admissions from September 2020 to August 2021.Results:Of the 241 participants screened on admission, 44 (18.3% of 241) screened positive for catatonia on the Bush Francis Catatonia Screening Instrument, while 197 (81.7% of 241) did not. Thirty-eight (86.4% of 44) received lorazepam, seven (15.9%) received clonazepam, and two (4.6%) received diazepam, implying that three (6.8%) of the 44 participants with catatonia received more than one benzodiazepine sequentially. Ten (22.7% of 44) patients received electroconvulsive therapy. Seven of those treated with electroconvulsive therapy (15.9% of 44 and 70% of 10) responded well and were discharged, whereas 22 (50% of 44 and 64.7% of 34) of those given lorazepam were discharged. Patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy had a higher initial Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale score. One patient (2.3%) relapsed within 4 weeks of discharge. Twenty (45.5%) of the 44 patients with catatonia had low average iron levels, 14 (31.8%) had low vitamin B12, and 24 (54.6%) had high creatinine kinase.Conclusion:Both lorazepam and electroconvulsive therapy were found to be effective treatments for catatonia with good response and outcomes. The length of hospital stay of patients with catatonia was similar to that of patients without catatonia. Treatment guidelines for catatonia need to include the role and timing of electroconvulsive therapy to augment current treatment protocols for the use of lorazepam.

Catatonia is a severe psychomotor syndrome predominantly associated with depressive, bipolar, and psychotic disorders. Untreated catatonia has a 10% mortality rate and may lead to complications such as renal failure, rhabdomyolysis, pneumonia, embolism, and contractures. High doses of the benzodiazepine lorazepam, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor modulator, are the primary pharmacological treatment, enhancing GABA's inhibitory effect, potentially reducing symptoms of catatonia. However, lorazepam is ineffective in about 25% of cases, leaving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as the only well-investigated alternative. Although often effective, ECT may have severe side effects and is not easily accepted among patients and caregivers. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel therapies for catatonia. Sodium oxybate, a GABA precursor and GABA-B receptor agonist, is a promising alternative treatment based on observational data, but its efficacy has never been thoroughly investigated. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sodium oxybate in treating catatonia unresponsive to lorazepam, while also capturing the natural course and determinants of catatonia through an observational cohort. The Laborit trial consists of a cohort study and an embedded single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT). Patients with catatonia admitted to a psychiatric ward may join the study's cohort, where their clinical characteristics are recorded. Standard care, including lorazepam up to 24 mg/day, will be administered. On day 4, the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS) will be used to measure symptom response. Patients with ≤50% improvement on the BFCRS, compared to the score at start, will be eligible for the trial. A total of 42 patients will be randomly assigned to either the sodium oxybate group, after a 2-day lorazepam reduction period, or the continuation of lorazepam. The primary endpoint is response, measured by the BFCRS score change after 4 days of treatment. A ≥50% reduction in BFCRS will define a responder, who will continue allocated treatment for an additional 10 days, with a secondary endpoint at 14 days. Data will be analyzed using intention-to-treat and per-protocol methods, with chi-square and logistic regression tests to compare group response and remission rates. This study was funded by the Dutch Brain Foundation (Hersenstichting) in December 2020. The study protocol was approved by the Amsterdam UMC Ethics Board on May 22, 2023. As of March 2025, the first 4 participants have been included in the cohort, with no trial participants enrolled yet. If positive, the results of this RCT may pave the way for international catatonia researchers and clinicians to introduce a new pharmacological treatment option for catatonia. Implementation could potentially benefit patients who endure this severe syndrome and present health care professionals with an additional treatment option. ISRCTN ISRCTN11236443; https://tinyurl.com/4px5s4aa. PRR1-10.2196/68356.

BackgroundNodding syndrome (NS) is a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome of an unknown etiology affecting children and adolescents mostly in Eastern Africa. Symptoms of NS and catatonia seem to overlap. We investigated the presence and types of catatonic symptoms in NS and their response to one or two doses of lorazepam, the first-line treatment for catatonia.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study with systematic assessment of catatonia in 33 patients with NS using a modified version of the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale. Sixteen patients met criteria for catatonia and were observed in an open and uncontrolled study to examine the effects of one or two doses of lorazepam in them.ResultsSixteen of 33 patients with NS had an average of 5 catatonia symptoms and met criteria for catatonia. The highest scores were found for mutism, staring, poor eating/drinking, stupor, and grimacing. Excitement, rigidity, negativism and impulsivity had lower scores. None of the children had echolalia or echopraxia. In 6 children, there was a reduction of more than 50 % in catatonia ratings, representing a positive response to lorazepam. Three out of six children whose catatonia ratings did not change after the first dose, responded after administration of a second double dose. There were no unusual or critical side-effects.ConclusionsAbout half of a selected sample of children with NS met criteria for catatonia. Catatonia scores decreased in most patients after one or two doses of lorazepam. Larger, longer, and controlled studies are warranted to assess the prevalence of catatonia in NS and to assess the use of lorazepam in NS through its effects on catatonia.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02462109Date of formal registration: June 2, 2015Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1805-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A CASE SERIES ON LATE-ONSET CATATONIA MISDIAGNOSED AS DELIRIUM

Double-blind randomized controlled study showing symptomatic and cognitive superiority of bifrontal over bitemporal electrode placement during electroconvulsive therapy for schizophrenia

Purpose: Catatonia is a highly morbid psychomotor disorder that impacts autistic adults and children. There is very little literature that describes outpatient catatonia management practices, none of which discusses the use of the electronic health record (EHR). Thus, we conducted this study to analyze patient messages in a specialized catatonia clinic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of messaging practices in the EHR for patients in a specialized clinic with autism and catatonia from July 1, 2021, to May 31, 2024. Catatonic symptom severity was recorded via the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), Kanner Catatonia Severity Scale (KCS), and Kanner Catatonia Examination (KCE). We conducted Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients to determine whether a relationship exists between the frequency of patient messages, catatonic symptoms, and length of follow-up. Results: A total of 12,972 messages were sent to the health system or received by the patient or their family. Of those, 6375 (49.1%) messages were sent from the family to the health system. Relationships between message frequency to the health system and all baseline catatonia severity scores (BFCRS, KCS, KCE) were not statistically significant, although message frequency was strongly associated with length of follow-up (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). A total of 5555 (42.8%) messages were sent directly to or received from providers in the catatonia specialty clinic. The rate of messages to providers in the catatonia clinic was 2.9 messages/day. Conclusion: The frequency of patient messaging was high in this catatonia specialty clinic. Health systems should consider this possibility when planning for similar service lines.

IntroductionDespite the unclear nature of catatonia, the treatment response of catatonia to benzodiazepines is widely known for its typical, dramatic recovery. The neurobiological correlates of this phenomenon regarding specific receptors and neurotransmitters are unclear, as are the potential treatment options. This is important to consider when the most commonly recommended treatments of catatonia with Lorazepam or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) are unavailable or unsuccessful. In this report, we describe a case of severe, malignant catatonia and psychosis mostly unresponsive to Lorazepam during two different hospitalizations, but with eventual return to baseline after successful treatment with Valproate.Objectives-To describe a unique case of malignant catatonia that was unresponsive to Lorazepam-To illustrate the potential utility of Valproate as an alternative treatment strategy for catatonia MethodsThis is a case report.ResultsA 19-year-old Hispanic male presented to our hospital initially with family reports of severe and sudden depression with bizarre behavior. Prior to this admission, the patient had been discharged recently from another tertiary hospital following a 2-week admission for severe catatonia. Chart review from that admission scored the patient’s Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS) at 16, which remained mostly unchanged after numerous additional intramuscular doses and standing oral doses of Lorazepam, with a reduction of BFCRS the next day of only 2. During the patient’s admission at our hospital, the patient endorsed bizarre, guilt-related delusions, and his catatonia was more severe and malignant with a BFCRS of 19, with tachycardia and diaphoresis. The patient was initially given a total of seven doses of a mix of intramuscular and oral Lorazepam (total 18mg), with a minimal 2-point reduction in BFCRS. As ECT was unavailable, Lorazepam was discontinued in favor of a trial of oral Valproate 500mg twice daily, and after his catatonia subsided (with a serum level of 60.8), he was started on oral Risperidone 0.5mg once at night, titrated up to 3mg twice daily, and eventually returned to baseline as confirmed by his family members.ConclusionsThe treatment of catatonia with Lorazepam is usually reliable and has been found to be up to 80% effective, but when the recommended use of benzodiazepines and ECT fail or are unavailable, there are few studies exploring the viability of alternative treatment options. With the use of Valproate, previous studies have shown it can treat even severe catatonia (KrÜger, J Neuropsychiatry 2001; 13:303-304), or can actually be its cause (Lauterbach, Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, and Behavioral Neurology. 1998 Jul;11(3):157-163). As such, this case report highlights the importance of exploring alternative treatments for catatonia, including Valproate, in order to better tailor the management of this unique syndrome.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared