Back to table of contents Previous article Next article LetterFull AccessIn ReplyPeter BrÄunig, M.D., and Stephanie KrÜger, M.D., Peter BrÄunigSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., and Stephanie KrÜgerSearch for more papers by this author, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Medicine, and Psychosomatics, Chemnitz, Lehrkrankenhaus, University of Leipzig, Germany (p.b.); Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Dresden, Germany (s.k.)Published Online:1 Feb 2002https://doi.org/10.1176/jnp.14.1.85AboutSectionsView EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail SIR: Catatonia is a heterogeneous disorder, the etiology of which is not known. The GABAA hypothesis is only one possible explanation of this complex syndrome and may explain some of the catatonic motor symptoms of inhibition.1 It does not, however, explain the catatonic behavioral symptoms, which involve volitional disturbances that may be linked directly to frontal cortical2,3 rather than basal ganglia dysfunction.We agree with Dr. Lauterbach that certain patients may be at risk of developing catatonia or of having their existing catatonia worsen when treated with a combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), atypical antipsychotics, and valproate. In these patients, atypicals in combination with SSRIs and valproate may lead to a transient imbalance between functionally reciprocal subgroups of GABA pathways and may subsequently cause dopamine inhibition and catatonia. It is important to note that Dr. Lauterbach's case was one of catatonic inhibition, stereotypies, and some behavioral symptoms.4 It can be assumed that patients exhibiting these symptoms may have a functional disturbance in medial globus pallidus and putamen.5,6Our patient had not responded to lorazepam, a potent GABA-enhancing agent that has been successfully used in the treatment of certain catatonic symptoms. We hypothesized that this lack of response might be related to the patient's symptom profile, which primarily comprises catatonic symptoms of volitional disturbance (e.g., gegenhalten, negativism) and impulsivity suggesting the involvement of dorsolateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal regions. In this case, the effect of valproate may be exerted only in part by its GABA-ergic properties; its effect on calcium channels may also contribute, leading to alterations in the brain's regional functional metabolism7 and to improvement of these catatonic symptoms. A similar observation has been made in catatonic patients treated with lithium.8In summary, the likely heterogeneity of the catatonic syndrome with regard to involved brain regions and transmitter dysfunction needs to be investigated further because most catatonia models are inconclusive. In certain subtypes of catatonia, specific pharmacological combinations should be avoided. Until the underlying pathomechanisms of the catatonic syndrome and the dysfunctional brain regions involved in its etiology have been identified, monotherapy with the known GABA-ergic drugs and other substances reported to improve some of these symptoms is recommended.References1 Carroll BT: The GABAa vs. GABAb hypothesis of catatonia. Mov Disord 1999; 7:702-703Crossref, Google Scholar2 Campbell JJ III, Duffy JD, Salloway SP: Treatment strategies for patients with dysexecutive syndromes, in The Frontal Lobes and Neuropsychiatric Illness, edited by Salloway SP, Malloy PF, Duffy JD. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Publishing, 2001, pp 153-163Google Scholar3 Miller EK: The prefrontal cortex and cognitive control. Nat Rev Neurosci 2000; 1:59-65Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar4 Lauterbach EC: Catatonia-like events after valproic acid with risperidone and sertraline. Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol 1998; 11:157-163Medline, Google Scholar5 Blumer D: Catatonia and the neuroleptics: psychobiologic significance of remote and recent findings. Compr Psychiatry 1997; 38:193-200Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar6 Atre-Vaidya N: Significance of abnormal brain perfusion in catatonia: a case report. Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol 2000; 13:136-139Medline, Google Scholar7 Tunicliff G: Actions of sodium valproate on the central nervous system. J Physiol Pharmacol 1999; 50:347-365Medline, Google Scholar8 Sugahara Y, Tsukamoto H, Sasaki T: Lithium carbonate in prophylaxis of reappearing catatonic stupor: case report. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2000; 54:607-609Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited byNone Volume 14Issue 1 February 2002Pages 85-86 Metrics History Published online 1 February 2002 Published in print 1 February 2002