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Published on: June 18, 2021
Prolonged abulia following putaminal hemorrhage
N Nagaratnam1, S Fanella, S Gopinath
1Department of Medicine (Aged Care and Rehabilitation Services), Blacktown-Mount Druitt Health, Blacktown, New South Wales 2148, Australia.
Summary
This study details a patient experiencing prolonged abulia, a condition of reduced behavior, for 12 weeks following a left putaminal hemorrhage. Seizures may have contributed to the persistent symptoms, prompting a discussion of underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Abulia and akinetic mutism represent a spectrum of behavioral changes characterized by reduced activity and psychomotor slowness.
- Typically, unilateral brain lesions result in temporary neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of prolonged abulia following a spontaneous putaminal hemorrhage.
- To explore potential contributing factors, such as seizures, to the persistent symptoms.
- To discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying this prolonged neurological condition.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with a spontaneous left putaminal hemorrhage.
- Clinical observation of behavioral symptoms, including abulia and seizures.
- Discussion of potential pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with prolonged abulia lasting 12 weeks.
- The condition occurred after a spontaneous left putaminal hemorrhage.
- Seizures were observed and considered a potential contributing factor to the persistent abulia.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged abulia can occur after putaminal hemorrhage, extending beyond typical transient symptom durations.
- Seizures may play a role in the persistence of abulia following such cerebrovascular events.
- Further investigation into the pathophysiologic mechanisms is warranted to understand these prolonged neurological deficits.
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