The treatment of stupor associated with MRI evidence of cerebrovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the treatment and outcome of organic stupor associated with MRI evidence of cerebrovascular disease.


METHODS
A case series of three patients.


METHODS
An urban mental health of the elderly service in southeast London.


METHODS
Aged 69 years, 72 years and 78 years. Two had organic catatonic disorder and the third organic depressive disorder.


METHODS
Diazepam, carbamazepine, antidepressants or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).


METHODS
Resolution of symptoms and discharge from hospital.


RESULTS
Symptoms resolved between 1 and 10 days. All patients were able to return home but relapsed over the following 12 months. One relapse occurred when a patient stopped diazepam and moclobemide.


CONCLUSIONS
It is proposed that the initial treatment of organic stupor associated with cerebrovascular disease should include a benzodiazepine or carbamazepine. If patients fail to respond then ECT should be considered. The safety of ECT is not known, when treating patients with depressive disorder associated with cerebrovascular disease.
Spear
J
J
Swan Elderly Mental Health Service, Midland, West Australia.
Ranger
M
M
Herzberg
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002389:Catatonia / Q000628:therapy*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003243:Consciousness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002220:Carbamazepine; D003975:Diazepam