Catatonia in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Neera Ghaziuddin; Laura Andersen; Mohammad Ghaziuddin

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2020.11.002

Catatonia in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2021 Mar;44(1):11-22. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.11.002.

Authors

Neera Ghaziuddin¹, Laura Andersen², Mohammad Ghaziuddin³

Affiliations

¹ University of Michigan, University of Michigan Medical Center, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: neerag@umich.edu.
² Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA.
³ University of Michigan, University of Michigan Medical Center, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

PMID: 33526232
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2020.11.002

Abstract

Catatonia was first described by Karl Ludwig Kahlbaum in 1874, occurring in association with other psychiatric and medical disorders. However, in the nineteenth century the disorder was incorrectly classified as a subtype of schizophrenia. This misclassification persisted until the publication of DSM-5 in 2013 when important changes were incorporated. Although the etiology is unknown, disrupted gamma-aminobutyric acid has been proposed as the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. Key symptoms can be identified under 3 clinical domains: motor, speech, and behavioral. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are the only known effective treatments. Timely recognition and treatment have important outcome, and sometimes lifesaving, implications.

Keywords: Asperger syndrome; Autism; Catatonia.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder* / complications
Autism Spectrum Disorder* / therapy
Benzodiazepines
Catatonia* / epidemiology
Catatonia* / therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy*
Humans
Schizophrenia*

Substances

Benzodiazepines