Catatonia in Autistic Disorder: a Sign of Comorbidity or Variable Expression?

Overview

Journal J Autism Dev Disord

Publisher Springer

Date 1991 Dec 1

PMID 1778964

Citations 16

Authors

G M Realmuto

G J August

Affiliations

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Abstract

Catatonia, once solely attributed to schizophrenia, is now thought to be associated with many disorders. Autistic disorder shares some symptoms with catatonia, namely, mutism, echopraxia/echolalia, and sterotypes. Catatonia in autism may therefore be a variant of the autistic condition. However, organic deficits and psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder, have also been deficits and psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder, have also been linked with the manifestation of catatonia. Individuals with autism presenting with these comorbid conditions may therefore be at increased risk for catatonia. Little is written of the association of autism and catatonia to clarify the possibility of catatonia as a variant or a sign of a comorbid condition. The authors discuss three autistic patients and suggest specific etiologies for the symptoms of catatonia which presented in these cases. The therapeutic and diagnostic importance of comorbid disorders in autism is stressed.

Citing Articles

Catatonia in autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities: a state-of-the-art review.

Moore S, Amatya D, Chu M, Besterman A Npj Ment Health Res. 2024; 1(1):12.

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Dystonic Movement Disorder as Symptom of Catatonia in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Riccio M, Siracusano R, dAlessandro I, Marino M, Bravaccio C Case Rep Psychiatry. 2021; 2020:8832075.

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Neuromodulation and a Reconceptualization of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Using the Locus Coeruleus Functioning as an Exemplar.

London E Front Neurol. 2019; 9:1120.

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A systematic review of interventions used to treat catatonic symptoms in people with autistic spectrum disorders.

Dejong H, Bunton P, Hare D J Autism Dev Disord. 2014; 44(9):2127-36.

PMID: 24643578 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2085-y.

Catatonia in patients with autism: prevalence and management.

Mazzone L, Postorino V, Valeri G, Vicari S CNS Drugs. 2014; 28(3):205-15.

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