Catatonia Following Abrupt Cessation of Oxcarbazepine in a Patient with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Catatonia is poorly understood and underdiagnosed, sometimes with catastrophic consequences. In the past catatonia was associated with schizophrenia, but is currently thought to be a commonly occurring syndrome with a wide range of etiologies.1 While the exact pathophysiology of catatonia remains unknown, because catatonia responds to benzodiazepines and N-methyl-d-aspartate-receptor (NMDA) antagonists,2 abnormalities in gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate signaling have been suggested as a likely mechanism, as well as dopamine due to its relationship with NMDA and GABA.
Source: Psychosomatics - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research