Catatonia

Studies from L.E. Wachtel and co-authors have provided new information about mental retardation

"This article presents an eight-year-old boy with autism, mental retardation, prominent mood lability and a five-year history of extreme self-injurious behavior towards his head, averaging 109 self-injurious attempts hourly. The patient was at high risk for serious head trauma, and required usage of bilateral arm restraints and protective equipment (i.e., padding on shoulders, arms, and legs). All areas of daily functioning were profoundly impacted by dangerous self-injury. Fifteen bilateral ECT treatments resulted in excellent mood stabilization and reduction of self-injury to 19 attempts hourly, and maintenance ECT was pursued. The patient was able to return to developmentally-appropriate educational and social activities," wrote L.E. Wachtel and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "ECT should be considered in the treatment algorithm of refractory cases of severe self-injury in autism."

Wachtel and colleagues published their study in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (ECT for self-injury in an autistic boy. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2009;18(7):458-463).

For additional information, contact L.E. Wachtel, Johns Hopkins School Medical, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 707 N Broadway St., Rm 232, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.

Keywords: United States, Baltimore, Autism, Catatonia, Convulsive Therapy, Craniocerebral Trauma, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Neurology, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacological, Psychiatry, Self-Injurious Behavior, Therapy, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.