Risperidone treatment of motor restlessness following anoxic brain injury.
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.
Silver
Bernard V
BV
Pediatric Program, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, 11333 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030-3405, USA. silveb@tirr.tmc.edu
Collins
Linda
L
Zidek
Kathryn A
KA
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
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000547:Amantadine; D018967:Risperidone