title: Onset of catatonia at puberty: electroconvulsive therapy response in two autistic adolescents.
abstract: Catatonia is a syndrome of motor and behavioral disturbance. It is a poorly understood condition, which is underrecognized and may go untreated despite intensive medical workup and numerous unsuccessful medication trials. However, with treatments known to be effective, such as benzodiazepines and/or electroconvulsive therapy, patients may return to their baseline functioning. Autism and catatonia have been previously reported together. We report 2 patients with autism and mental retardation who developed catatonic symptoms at the onset of puberty. Both patients experienced persistent symptoms over several years and presented with a history of motor disturbance, functional decline, and episodic aggression. Both patients were treated with electroconvulsive therapy resulting in a positive response and functional improvement. Catatonia may persist as a chronic condition, lasting over several months or years, if not recognized and treated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5734, USA. neerag@umich.edu
authors.forename: Neera
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ghaziuddin
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gih
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Maixner
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghaziuddin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D002389:Catatonia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D004519:Education, Special; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000523:psychology*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013177:Sports; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D020280:Sertraline