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Transient unresponsiveness in the elderly. Report of five cases
1Department of Neurology, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, NY 11030.
Archives of Neurology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Elderly patients experienced unexplained unresponsiveness, suggesting a potential age-related arousal disorder. This condition may be more prevalent than currently recognized in geriatric care.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Unexplained episodes of unresponsiveness in hospitalized elderly patients pose diagnostic challenges.
- Exclusion of metabolic, structural, convulsive, and psychiatric causes is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- Five elderly patients presented with recurrent, self-limited episodes of unresponsiveness.
- These episodes were not attributable to known medical or psychiatric conditions.
Findings:
- The observed cases represented approximately 2% of coma evaluations.
- Shared clinical features suggest a distinct, age-related disorder of arousal.
Implications:
- This condition, potentially more common than previously thought, requires further investigation.
- Recognition of this age-related arousal disorder could improve diagnosis and management in geriatric populations.
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