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Risperidone treatment of motor restlessness following anoxic brain injury
Bernard V Silver1, Linda Collins, Kathryn A Zidek
1Pediatric Program, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, 11333 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030-3405, USA. silveb@tirr.tmc.edu
Primary Objective:
This paper examined the use of an atypical neuroleptic medication, risperidone, in reducing the excessive motor activity of an adolescent with an anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest from a lightning strike. Lower extremity restlessness caused the patient to develop skin breakdown and interfered with healing of existing burns.
Research Design:
Single-blind, placebo-controlled single-subject experimental design.
Experimental Intervention:
Escalating doses of risperidone up to 1 mg and in combination with methylphenidate (10 mg) and amantidine (100 mg).
Main Outcomes And Results:
The patient demonstrated a reduction in restlessness in response to the use of risperidone, which permitted wound healing. The addition of methlphenidate to risperidone led to a slight increase in attention to task.
Conclusions:
The use of the atypical neuroleptic medication, risperidone, may be considered as part of the armamentarium available to physicians treating restlessness in severe brain injuries.