title: [Lethal catatonia: clinical aspects and therapeutic intervention. A review of the literature].
abstract: Lethal catatonia continues to occur and represents a nonspecific syndrome associated with diverse organic as well as functional conditions. From this perspective, neuroleptic malignant syndrome may be conceptualized as a neuroleptic-induced toxic or iatrogenic form of organic lethal catatonia. Neuroleptics appear ineffective in the treatment of lethal catatonia and should be stopped whenever this disorder is suspected. Existing data suggest that ECT is a safe and effective treatment for lethal catatonia. ECT also appears effective in the treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Département de Psychiatrie, Université de Pennsylvanie et Hôpital de l'Administration des Vétérans à Philadelphie, Philadelphie, Pa., USA.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Auriacombe
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Macfadden
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Caroff
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cabrina Campbell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tignol
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002389:Catatonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents