Idiopathic recurring stupor: a case with possible involvement of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system.
A patient had recurrent spontaneous episodes of stupor or coma in the absence of toxic, metabolic, or structural brain damage. Ictal electroencephalography showed fast 14 Hz background activity; sleep studies excluded narcolepsy. Flumazenil (Anexate), a benzodiazepine antagonist, promptly resolved the episodes and normalized the electroencephalogram. Radioreceptor binding studies showed the presence of a ligand to the central benzodiazepine receptor in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid during the episodes, suggesting a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system involvement in the origin of the attacks.
Tinuper
P
P
Institute of Neurology, University of Bologna, Italy.
Montagna
P
P
Cortelli
P
P
Avoni
P
P
Lugaresi
A
A
Schoch
P
P
Bonetti
E P
EP
Gallassi
R
R
Sforza
E
E
Lugaresi
E
E
D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D003128:Coma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005442:Flumazenil; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid