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Psychosomatics 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA.

Cureus 2020 May 26;12(5):e8300. Epub 2020 May 26.

Internal Medicine, Coliseum Medical Centers, Macon, USA.

A high-functioning middle-aged successful businessman developed a rapid decline in his cognitive, behavioral, and motor abilities within one year. He was initially diagnosed with dementia by a neurologist and was then diagnosed with pseudo-dementia secondary to major depressive disorder with catatonia by a psychiatrist who initiated treatment with Ativan. He was referred to our psychiatric facility for an evaluation to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a potential treatment for medically refractory depression complicated with catatonia and pseudo-dementia. Read More

Schizophr Res 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Munich, Nußbaumstraße 7, 80336 München, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics of the University Augsburg, Bezirkskrankenhaus Augsburg, University of Augsburg, Medical Faculty, Augsburg, Germany.

Background: Catatonia is a potentially life threatening syndrome in various psychiatric disorders. As first line treatment, benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are recommended. In some cases, benzodiazepines are ineffective and ECT is not available or contraindicated. Read More

Cureus 2020 Jun 18;12(6):e8689. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Psychiatry, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis has become one of the more well-known autoimmune diseases affecting the brain and it is characterized by a multitude of progressive neuropsychiatric symptoms. The following case describes the clinical course of an 18-year-old female with excited type catatonia secondary to anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. The patient had been brought to the ED by her parents in an acutely psychotic state characterized by profound disorganization and vivid visual hallucinations. Read More

Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Krankenhaus für Psychiatrie Psychotherapie und Psychosomatische Medizin Schloss Werneck.

Catatonia is a widespread problem in psychiatric hospitals as approximately 10% of patients present with catatonic symptoms upon admission. Catatonia carries the risk of severe, even fatal complications. The first line treatment is usually electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or benzodiazepines, but ECT may not be readily available and benzodiazepines may not always be effective. Read More

Schizophr Res 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratoire de Neurogénétique et Neuroinflammation, Paris, France; Service de Pédiatrie Générale, Maladies Infectieuses et Médecine Interne, Centre de référence des rhumatismes inflammatoires et maladies autoimmunes systémiques rares de l'enfant (RAISE), APHP Robert Debré, Paris, France; Service d'Immunologie-Hématologie et Rhumatologie Pédiatriques, APHP Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France.

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2020 Jun 10;196:106012. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Hospital Júlio de Matos, Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Portugal; Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Hospital Júlio de Matos, Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa Avenida Brasil, 53 1749-002 Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address:

Psychol Med 2020 Jun 16:1-13. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Background: Catatonia is a frequent, complex and severe identifiable syndrome of motor dysregulation. However, its pathophysiology is poorly understood.

Methods: We aimed to provide a systematic review of all brain imaging studies (both structural and functional) in catatonia. Read More

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2020 Jun 13. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020 Jun 7. Epub 2020 Jun 7.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, D-68159, Germany. Electronic address:

Despite substantial efforts in the last decades, objective measures that can predict clinical outcome in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) after an acute psychotic episode are still lacking. Here, we introduced a comprehensive assessment of sensorimotor function to predict mid-term clinical outcome following an acute psychotic episode. This naturalistic follow-up of 43 patients with DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of SZ examined sensorimotor abnormalities (i. Read More

Brain Sci 2020 Jun 8;10(6). Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior & Office of Academic Affairs, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 997 St. Sebastian Way, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.

Limited research has been done on the risk and predisposing factors of catatonic symptoms induced by traumatic events. There seem to be two types or constructs of conditioning that predispose an individual to catatonic symptoms in response to traumatic events: external conditioning and internal conditioning. Here, we review a study that found a significant correlation between the Bush-Francis Catatonia Scale and the Adverse Childhood Experience questionnaire; we also review studies of rats that were conditioned to expect an electric shock who developed catatonia-like immobility without the shock being applied. Read More

Bull Hosp Jt Dis (2013) 2020 Jun;78(2):146-152

Malignant catatonia represents a potentially life-threatening presentation of catatonia that typically includes fever, autonomic instability, and cardiovascular collapse. Failure to respond to benzodiazepines, particularly with an increase in catatonic signs, should raise suspicion for the presence of malignant catatonia. Here, we report the first case of malignant catatonia as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting in a 15-year-old girl who developed progressive catatonia that was resistant to immunosuppressive therapy with pulse corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and cyclophosphamide and required electroconvulsive therapy for clinical improvement. Read More

Asian J Psychiatr 2020 Apr 10;52:102002. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, 560029, India. Electronic address:

Advances in research into catatonia in the preceding two decades has offered increasing clarity and an improved understanding of various aspects of this complex syndrome. Despite the above, there are several aspects that hinder a broader interpretation of these findings, the most common being a lack of consensus on the criteria required for diagnosing catatonia. Whilst being the most frequently used tool for diagnosis, the number of signs from Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS) needed to diagnose catatonia remain unclear. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2020 15;11:245. Epub 2020 May 15.

Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

Background: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDA-R) encephalitis is an autoimmune disease of the brain first described in 2007. The aim of this paper is to present a 10-year follow-up case history.

Case Presentation: The authors present the case of a 39-year-old female patient who developed an anti-NMDA-R encephalitis in 2009 with predominant severe catatonic symptoms. Read More

Pediatrics 2020 Jun;145(6)

Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; and

Down syndrome disintegrative disorder (DSDD), a developmental regression in children with Down syndrome (DS), is a clinical entity that is characterized by a loss of previously acquired adaptive, cognitive, and social functioning in persons with DS usually in adolescence to early adulthood. Initially reported in 1946 as "catatonic psychosis," there has been an increasing interest among the DS community, primary care, and subspecialty providers in this clinical area over the past decade. This condition has a subacute onset and can include symptoms of mood lability, decreased participation in activities of daily living, new-onset insomnia, social withdrawal, autistic-like regression, mutism, and catatonia. Read More

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2020 Jul 5;29(3):455-465. Epub 2020 May 5.

Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.

The mechanism of action of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is not fully elucidated, with prevailing theories ranging from neuroendocrinological to neuroplasticity effects of ECT or epileptiform brain plasticity. Youth with autism can present with catatonia. ECT is a treatment that can safely and rapidly resolve catatonia in autism and should be considered promptly. Read More

Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2020 Jul;29(3):443-454

University of Michigan, University of Michigan Medical Center, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Catatonia was first described by Karl Ludwig Kahlbaum in 1874, occurring in association with other psychiatric and medical disorders. However, in the nineteenth century the disorder was incorrectly classified as a subtype of schizophrenia. This misclassification persisted until the publication of DSM-5 in 2013 when important changes were incorporated. Read More

J ECT 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

Sekizen Hospital, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan. Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center, Okayama, Japan. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan. Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center, Okayama, Japan. Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.

Soins Pediatr Pueric 2020 Mar - Apr;41(313):44-46. Epub 2020 Feb 17.

Centre universitaire de pédopsychiatrie, Hôpital de jour, CHRU de Tours, Hôpital Bretonneau, 2 boulevard Tonnellé, 37044 Tours cedex 9, France; UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, 37032 Tours cedex 1, France.

Catatonia and its treatment in patients with autism spectrum disorders are poorly documented in the child psychiatry literature. Étienne is a 13-year-and-10-months-old adolescent who was diagnosed with autism at an early age. He presents recurrent episodes of stuporous catatonia aggravating major motor agitation type behavioural disorders. Read More

Psychiatr Q 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

Centre for Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine -Jahn Ferenc South-Pest Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.

DSM-5 introduced a number of modifications to the catatonic syndrome, which is now closer to Kahlbaum's original concept. The aim of the present study was to assess residents' and qualified psychiatrists' knowledge, experience and views about the treatment of catatonia in acute psychiatric care in Budapest, Hungary. Authors approached all psychiatric units that provide acute psychiatric care (N = 11) in Budapest and invited all psychiatrists and residents, who consented, to participate in the survey, completing a 13 items questionnaire. Read More

Schizophr Res 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

There is growing interest in understanding the behavioral and neural mechanisms of catatonia. Here, we examine cognition and brain structure in schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) patients with a history of catatonia. A total of 172 subjects were selected from a data repository; these included SSD patients with (n = 43) and without (n = 43) a history of catatonia and healthy control subjects (n = 86). Read More

J Autism Dev Disord 2020 May 14. Epub 2020 May 14.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Department of Human Genetics, 3333 Burnet Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45429, USA.

Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2020 May 11. Epub 2020 May 11.

Tagesklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, GGP Gruppe Rostock.

We report four cases of 12- to 17-year-old patients with schizophrenia, two of them suffering from catatonia, which were treated by ECT. Under a combined treatment with either ziprasidone or clozapine, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), they improved markedly. Severity and course of acute schizophrenia were evaluated by the Brief Psychiatric rating Scale (BPRS), severity and course of catatonia were evaluated with the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS). Read More

Clin Neuropharmacol 2020 May/Jun;43(3):84-85

Department of Psychiatry, Dokkyo Medical University, School of Medicine, Shimotsuga, Tochigi, Japan.

Background: Catatonia is a severe condition in patients. Electroconvulsive treatment or medication with benzodiazepines and/or antipsychotics are regarded as standard treatment.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a patient with catatonic features in whom electroconvulsive treatment and benzodiazepine and/or antipsychotic medications failed to achieve efficacy. Read More

J ECT 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein, College of Medicine, Bronx, NY

Neuropsychopharmacology 2020 May 5. Epub 2020 May 5.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.

Catatonia is characterized by motor, affective and behavioral abnormalities. To date, the specific role of white matter (WM) abnormalities in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) patients with catatonia is largely unknown. In this study, diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data were collected from 111 right-handed SSD patients and 28 healthy controls. Read More

Bipolar Disord 2020 May 4. Epub 2020 May 4.

Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital do Espírito Santo de Évora, Évora, Portugal.

CNS Spectr 2020 Apr;25(2):303-304

Veterans Affairs Medical Centre, DC.

Delirious mania is a life-threatening condition, presenting with symptoms of acute delirium and psychotic mania as a complication of medical or psychiatric condition. It is not recognized as a diagnosis in DSM-V and is under recognized in clinical practice. It was first described by Calmeil (Calmeil, 1832). Read More

CNS Spectr 2020 Apr;25(2):310-311

Assistant Professor Of Psychiatry, Campbell University Of Osteopathic School Of Medicine; Fayetteville, NC.

The term Catatonia was coined by Kraepelin in 1893 and was categorized as a subtype of dementia praecox. Bleuler in 1906 redefined it as catatonic Schizophrenia. Over the period of time by accumulating evidence of various case reports and studies its apparent that catatonia is not only seen in Schizophrenia, Affective disorders but is also seen secondary to various medical problems. Read More

CNS Spectr 2020 Apr;25(2):284

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA.

Introduction: Anti-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor encephalitis often presents itself in psychiatric settings as first-break psychosis. I present a case of a 31-year-old female who returned to the clinic one year after being treated for NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis.

Case Report: Ms. Read More

Case Rep Psychiatry 2020 3;2020:2469707. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Hôpital du Jura Bernois, Pôle de Santé Mentale, L'Abbaye 22713 Bellelay, Switzerland.

Catatonia is a complex identifiable clinical syndrome characterized primarily by psychomotor symptoms. In recent decades, some authors have considered that catatonia can be presented as a catatonic syndrome in several pathologies such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and not only in schizophrenia. Prior to DSM 5, there were two conceptions of catatonia: one in which clinical characterization seemed to play a determining role (a categorical view) and another in which a dimensional perspective advocated the existence of catatonia as a clinical entity in its own right, detached from the underlying pathology. Read More

Asian J Psychiatr 2020 Mar 30;52:102043. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Flinders University - College of Medicine and Public Health, Discipline of Psychiatry, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. Electronic address:

Schizophr Res 2020 Jun 12;220:210-217. Epub 2020 Apr 12.

Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Catatonia is a complex psychomotor symptom frequently observed in schizophrenia. Neural activity within the motor system is altered in catatonia. Likewise, white matter (WM) is also expected to be abnormal. Read More

R I Med J (2013) 2020 Apr 1;103(3):55-58. Epub 2020 Apr 1.

Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University, Providence, RI; Morton Hospital, Steward Medical Group, Department of Psychiatry, Taunton, MA.

Schizophr Bull 2020 Mar 27. Epub 2020 Mar 27.

The National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome defined by a constellation of predominantly motor symptoms. The aim of the present study was to determine whether recently admitted psychiatric patients with catatonia exhibited higher serum C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels compared to non-catatonic psychiatric patients and healthy controls (HCs). Recently admitted psychiatric patients were screened and evaluated for the catatonia syndrome using the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Read More

Psychopharmacol Bull 2020 Mar;50(1):48-50

Dr. Mustafa, Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Battle House, Northampton General Hospital, Billing Road, Northampton. Dr. Nayar, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, Berrywood Hospital, Berrywood Drive, Duston, Northampton.

Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 2020 25;98(2):95-103. Epub 2020 Mar 25.

Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a neurobehavioral disorder comprising motor and vocal tics. In most cases it is associated with other disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In refractory cases deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a valid treatment option. Read More

Tijdschr Psychiatr 2020 ;62(3):229-233

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2ds) is a genetic syndrome affecting multiple organ systems and is associated with increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders. Read More

Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2020 May - Jun;64:50-55. Epub 2020 Mar 14.

Neuropsychiatry Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, Insurgentes Sur No. 3877 ZC, 14269 Mexico, Mexico; Neurology and Neurosurgery Center, Medica Sur Puente de Piedra 150, Toriello Guerra, Mexico, Mexico. Electronic address:

Background: Previous case reports showed that delirious mania could be one of the many neuropsychiatric presentations of Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (ANMDARE).

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of delirious mania and its associated factors in ANMDARE.

Method: A prospective study, including all patients with ANMDARE admitted to the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, from January 2014 to April 2019. Read More

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020 Mar 12. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

Primary schizophreniform psychoses are thought to be caused by complex gene-environment interactions. Secondary forms are based on a clearly identifiable organic cause, in terms of either an etiological or a relevant pathogenetic factor. The secondary or "symptomatic" forms of psychosis have reentered the focus stimulated by the discovery of autoantibody (Ab)-associated autoimmune encephalitides (AEs), such as anti-NMDA-R encephalitis, which can at least initially mimic variants of primary psychosis. Read More

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2020 26;16:579-587. Epub 2020 Feb 26.

Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita 010-8543, Japan.

Purpose: While depression has been recognized as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), the prevalence of VTE in depressed inpatients has never been investigated. The aim of this study was thus to examine VTE prevalence and factors associated with VTE in depressed inpatients.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of consecutive depressed inpatients (n = 94) from January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, at the psychiatry department of Akita University Hospital. Read More

Encephale 2020 Mar 6. Epub 2020 Mar 6.

Unité CURE, pôle de psychiatrie, CNRS UMR 9193-PsyCHIC-SCALab, CHU de Lille, université de Lille, 59000 Lille, France.

Context: Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) is the most effective treatment for treatment resistant mood disorders and catatonia. ECT also appears to be an effective treatment in combination with clozapine in the context of treatment resistant schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Although increasingly codified (guidelines on indications, contraindications, methods of implementation), the practice of ECT still lacks consensual protocols. Read More

Asian J Psychiatr 2020 Mar 2;51:101996. Epub 2020 Mar 2.

AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. Electronic address:

Acta Med Port 2020 Mar 2;33(3):208-211. Epub 2020 Mar 2.

Hospital Júlio de Matos. Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa. Lisboa. Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa. Portugal.

Anti-N-Mmethyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system with prominent neurologic and psychiatric features. Symptoms appear progressively and sometimes with an exclusively psychiatric initial presentation. The patient's evaluation should be meticulous, and we should use all the diagnostic tests required for the exclusion of entities that can mimic this disease. Read More

Biol Psychiatry 2020 May 28;87(9):e29-e31. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.

J ECT 2020 Feb 28. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

From the Department of Psychiatry.

Catatonia can be described structurally as a motor dysregulation syndrome with a concomitant behavioral component. However, despite its initial recognition nearly 150 years ago, the exact pathophysiological causes underlying this syndrome are still somewhat unknown and are potentially variable. This report reviews a case of a patient with multiple catatonic episodes precipitated by the use of an immunomodulator medication, and in doing so suggests a possible mechanism speaking to the immune system's role in the etiology of some cases of catatonia. Read More

Psychol Med 2020 Mar 2:1-12. Epub 2020 Mar 2.

IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain.

Background: Motor abnormalities (MAs) are the primary manifestations of schizophrenia. However, the extent to which MAs are related to alterations of subcortical structures remains understudied.

Methods: We aimed to investigate the associations of MAs and basal ganglia abnormalities in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy controls. Read More

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2020 03 22;72:62-64. Epub 2020 Feb 22.

Department of Neurology, Ajou University School of Medicine, South Korea. Electronic address: