Catatonia in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal Eur Psychiatry

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2021 Dec 15

PMID 34906264

Citations 41

Authors

J Vaquerizo-Serrano

G Salazar de Pablo

J Singh

P Santosh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Catatonic features can appear in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). There can be overlap in symptoms across catatonia and ASD. The overall aim of this review is to provide evidence for the presence of catatonic features in subjects with ASD.

Methods: A systematic literature search using the Web of Science database from inception to July 10, 2021 was conducted following PRISMA, MOOSE guidelines and the PROSPERO protocol. (CRD42021248615). Twelve studies with information about catatonia and ASD were reviewed. Data from a subset was used to conduct meta-analyses of the presence of catatonia in ASD.

Results: The systematic review included 12 studies, seven of which were used for the meta-analysis, comprising 969 individuals. The mean age was 21.25 (7.5) years. Two studies (16.6%) included only children and adolescents. A total of 70-100% were males. Our meta-analysis showed that 10.4% (5.8-18.0 95%CI) of individuals with ASD have catatonia. Motor disturbances were common in ASD subjects with catatonia. No differences were found in comorbidity. Several treatments have been used in ASD with catatonic features, including benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The findings of the systematic review showed that ECT might help manage catatonic symptoms.

Conclusions: Different features of catatonia can exist in individuals with ASD and core symptoms of catatonia are reported in ASD. Longitudinal and longer-term studies are required to understand the relationship between catatonia and ASD, and the response of catatonic symptoms to treatment.

Citing Articles

Longitudinal Symptom Burden and Pharmacologic Management of Catatonia in Autism With Intellectual Disability: An Observational Study.

Smith J, Lim S, Bindra S, Marler S, Rajah B, Williams Z Autism Res. 2025; 18(2):449-462.

PMID: 39866085 PMC: 11826019. DOI: 10.1002/aur.3315.

Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Complex and Potentially Significant Relationship.

Gonzalez-Herrero B, Happe F, Nicholson T, Morgante F, Pagonabarraga J, Deeley Q Brain Behav. 2024; 14(12):e70168.

PMID: 39705515 PMC: 11661563. DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70168.

The Catatonia Quick Screen (CQS): A Rapid Screening Tool for Catatonia in Adult and Pediatric Populations.

Luccarelli J, Kalinich M, Wilson J, Liu J, Fuchs D, Francis A medRxiv. 2024; .

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Identifying and treating catatonia in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A case series.

Nejati N, Etches S J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024; 33(3):215-222.

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Longitudinal Symptom Burden and Pharmacologic Management of Catatonia in Autism with and without Profound Impairment: An Observational Study.

Smith J, Lim S, Bindra S, Marler S, Rajah B, Williams Z medRxiv. 2024; .

PMID: 39281739 PMC: 11398597. DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.05.24312724.

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