Risperidone treatment of motor restlessness following anoxic brain injury.

Abstract

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

This paper examined the use of an atypical neuroleptic medication, risperidone, in reducing the excessive motor activity of an adolescent with an anoxic brain injury following cardiac arrest from a lightning strike. Lower extremity restlessness caused the patient to develop skin breakdown and interfered with healing of existing burns.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

Single-blind, placebo-controlled single-subject experimental design.

EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTION:

Escalating doses of risperidone up to 1 mg and in combination with methylphenidate (10 mg) and amantidine (100 mg).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS:

The patient demonstrated a reduction in restlessness in response to the use of risperidone, which permitted wound healing. The addition of methlphenidate to risperidone led to a slight increase in attention to task.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of the atypical neuroleptic medication, risperidone, may be considered as part of the armamentarium available to physicians treating restlessness in severe brain injuries.

• Authors: Bernard V Silver, Linda Collins, Kathryn A Zidek
• Journal: Brain injury (Brain Inj) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 237-44 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0269-9052 [Print] England
• PMID: 12623500 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dopamine Agents
• Serotonin Antagonists
• Methylphenidate
• Amantadine
• Risperidone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Amantadine (administration & dosage)
• Brain Injuries (complications, psychology)
• Dopamine Agents (administration & dosage)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Humans
• Hypoxia, Brain (complications, psychology)
• Male
• Methylphenidate (administration & dosage)
• Psychomotor Agitation (drug therapy, etiology, psychology)
• Risperidone (administration & dosage)
• Serotonin Antagonists (administration & dosage)
• Treatment Outcome