Memantine and Catatonia: A Case Report and Literature Review : Journal of Psychiatric Practice®

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CLINICAL CASE DISCUSSION

Memantine and Catatonia

A Case Report and Literature Review

Obregon, Demian F. MD*; Velasco, Regina M. DO; Wuerz, Timothy P. DO*; Catalano, Maria C. DO; Catalano, Glenn MD; Kahn, David MD

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Journal of Psychiatric Practice 17(4):p 292-299, July 2011. | DOI: 10.1097/01.pra.0000400268.60537.5e

Abstract

Catatonia is a movement disorder with various possible etiologies. The majority of cases are associated with an underlying mood or psychotic disorder, while others are caused by medical conditions. Currently, benzodiazepines are the first-line psychopharmacologic agents in the treatment of catatonia. However, several cases have been reported in which treatment with memantine proved to be effective. We present the case of a 92-year-old female with major depressive disorder and associated catatonic symptoms. In this case, the patient's symptoms remitted quickly after the initiation of memantine. We review the possible causes of catatonia and pharmacologic treatments for the condition and highlight the possible benefits of N-methylD-aspartic acid receptor antagonists such as memantine in the treatment of catatonia. (Journal of Psychiatric Practice 2011;17:292–299).

Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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