title: Risperidone treatment of motor restlessness following anoxic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper examined the use of an atypical neuroleptic medication, risperidone, in reducing the excessive motor activity of an adolescent with an anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest from a lightning strike. Lower extremity restlessness caused the patient to develop skin breakdown and interfered with healing of existing burns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind, placebo-controlled single-subject experimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Escalating doses of risperidone up to 1 mg and in combination with methylphenidate (10 mg) and amantidine (100 mg).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient demonstrated a reduction in restlessness in response to the use of risperidone, which permitted wound healing. The addition of methlphenidate to risperidone led to a slight increase in attention to task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the atypical neuroleptic medication, risperidone, may be considered as part of the armamentarium available to physicians treating restlessness in severe brain injuries.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Program, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, 11333 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030-3405, USA. silveb@tirr.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Bernard V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zidek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000547:Amantadine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015259:Dopamine Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000547:Amantadine; D018967:Risperidone