Catatonic syndrome associated with lead intoxication: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about catatonia associated with lead intoxication.


METHODS
A retired printing house worker man presented with one week history of refusal to eat and mutism. He was treated with possible diagnosis of catatonia with administration of Lorazepam 3 mg P.O. daily. Significant improvement occurred after 48 hours. In further examinations, there was no evidence of physical and mental disorders while impairment in neuropsychiatry test, identification of Dohle body, basophilic stippling and toxic granulation in peripheral blood smear and blood lead level of 12.8 mug/dl were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Possibly, lead intoxication results in changes in neurotransmitter system that leads to catatonia. Lorazepam improves patient's condition through changes in this system.
Modabbernia
Mohammad Jafar
MJ
Department of Psychiatry, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. gmodaber@gums.ac.ir
Mirsafa
Ali Reza
AR
Modabbernia
Amirhossein
A
Pilehroodi
Farhad
F
Shirazi
Maryam
M