title: Catatonia causing permanent cognitive impairment: a case study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe a case of psychogenic malignant catatonia resulting in permanent cognitive impairment.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by catalepsy, negativism, mutism, muscular rigidity, and mannerisms, often accompanied by autonomic instability and fever. Little is known about the long-term cognitive consequences of the syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical history includes neurologic examination, neuropsychological evaluation, electroencephalographic data, magnetic resonance imaging, sodium amytal interview, and treatment with electroconvulsive therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Selective deficits in executive function and an anterograde amnesia were evident a week post-ECT treatment and continued to be present at follow-up after 2 years and 8 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The permanent cognitive impairments are considered in the context of catatonia as a frontal lobe syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Russell Cairns Unit, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, OX2 6HE, England. ian.baker@orh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Ian W S
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bass
mesh_terms: D000654:Amobarbital; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002389:Catatonia / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007360:Intelligence; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000209:etiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D000654:Amobarbital