Propranolol-responsive akathisia following acute encephalitis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this case report is to highlight the possibility of akathisia in any patient who has recently recovered from encephalitis and now presents with motor restlessness.


METHODS
We describe a 15-year-old boy presenting with the onset of abnormal and excessive motor restlessness following successful resolution of encephalitis. After thorough investigations and repeated psychiatric examinaton patient was diagnosed as suffering from postencephalitic akathisia.


RESULTS
Thioridazine proved of no help. Patient achieved near complete recovery after treatment with propanolol within 2 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinician should keep in mind that akathisia can have various etiologies and encephalitis may be the one of them. Propanolol is quite effective in patients with postencephalitic akathisia.
Goyal
Rakesh
R
Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India. rakeshpsy@yahoo.co.in
Chandrasekaran
R
R
Nanda
M Rajiv
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011859:Radiography
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D011433:Propranolol