Hyperthermia and chronic pancerebellar syndrome after cocaine abuse

We describe a patient who developed pancerebellar syndrome as a result of hyperthermia that developed after cocaine use. The patient had long-standing schizophrenia and had been taking risperidone for 2 years, without evidence of abnormal movements. A literature review revealed a marked similarity between cocaine and neuroleptics in their ability to cause hyperthermia. Based on our observations and the compatible evidence from the literature, we suggest that cocaine use may cause hyperthermia and result in chronic pancerebellar dysfunction.