title: Cocaine-associated agitated delirium and the neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
abstract: The incidence of this previously rare disorder, cocaine-associated agitated delirium, appears to have increased drastically within the last 18 months. The underlying neurochemical abnormalities have recently been characterized, but most clinicians have had little experience with management of agitated delirium. The basic clinical and pathological features of this disorder are reviewed, and common pitfalls in diagnosis and management that frequently lead to needless but very expensive litigation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Suffolk County Medical Examiner, Suffolk County, NY, USA.
authors.forename: C V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Wetli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mash
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Karch
mesh_terms: D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine