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Citalopram treatment of traumatic brain damage in a 6-year-old boy
G Andersen1, M Stylsvig, N Sunde
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Aarhus, Denmark. AKH.GRPO2S.GAN.aaa.dk
Insights
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can dramatically reduce pathological crying in children with traumatic brain injuries. Early SSRI treatment may also improve motor, sleep, and neurobehavioral issues following brain trauma.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can lead to acute emotional disturbances, impacting rehabilitation effectiveness.
- Pathological crying, apathy, and sleep disturbances are common symptoms following TBI.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to effectively treat pathological crying in stroke patients.
Observation:
- A case history involving a 6-year-old boy with a traumatic right-sided basal ganglia hemorrhage was examined.
- The patient experienced acute emotional symptoms, including pathological crying.
Findings:
- Early administration of an SSRI resulted in a dramatic reduction in pathological crying.
- The SSRI treatment also appeared to positively influence motor paresis, sleep disturbances, and neurobehavioral problems.
- This suggests a broader therapeutic potential for SSRIs in pediatric TBI.
Implications:
- Early SSRI intervention may be a valuable strategy for managing emotional and neurological deficits in pediatric TBI.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the full therapeutic scope of SSRIs in TBI rehabilitation.
- This case highlights the potential for pharmacotherapy to address complex symptoms in young TBI survivors.
Abstract:
Traumatic brain damage may cause acute emotional symptoms such as uncontrolled crying, apathy, and sleep problems. Rehabilitation may be less effective in patients afflicted by these symptoms. Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has a documented immediate and dramatic effect on pathological crying in stroke patients. The present case history of a 6-year-old boy with a traumatic right-sided hemorrhage in the basal ganglia indicates that early SSRI treatment has a dramatic effect on pathological crying and in addition may have a concomitant beneficial effect on motor paresis, sleep disturbance, and neurobehavioral problems.