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Published on: August 15, 2017
Electroconvulsive therapy in a patient with multiple sclerosis and recurrent catatonia.
Theodote K Pontikes1, Stephen H Dinwiddie
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637-1470, USA.
The Journal of ECT
|December 15, 2010
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) offers a safe and effective treatment for catatonia in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This case study shows successful ECT use for both acute episodes and maintenance in an MS patient.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Catatonia is an uncommon but serious complication of multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Effective treatment options for catatonia in MS are limited.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old inpatient with MS developed a catatonic syndrome.
- The patient experienced a subsequent relapse of catatonia.
Findings:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was successfully used to treat the initial catatonic episode.
- ECT also effectively managed a subsequent relapse of catatonia in the MS patient.
- Maintenance ECT was administered for 13 months without complications, and follow-up showed no neurological deterioration.
Implications:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be a safe and effective therapeutic option for managing catatonia in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- This case highlights the potential of ECT as a long-term treatment strategy for recurrent catatonia in MS patients.
- Further research into ECT for MS-related catatonia is warranted.
