Abstract

CRESPO, María Luisa  and  PEREZ, Verónica. Catatonia: A Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2005, vol.34, n.2, pp.251-266. ISSN 0034-7450.

Abstract Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by motor abnormalities that occur in association with changes in thought, mood, and vigilance. Kahlbaum first described the syndrome in 1868, when he noted patients suffering from a condition of «profound mental anguish». In 1893, Kraepelin limited catatonia to a subtype of dementia praecox, and it was later redefined by Bleuler, in 1906, as catatonic schizophrenia. Since then, it has become increasingly apparent that the catatonia syndrome can be seen not just in schizophrenia but in affective disorders, as well as secondary to various underlying medical conditions, leading the DSM-IV to broaden its categorization of catatonia to include these other entities. This article reviews current concepts of catatonia, in reward of historical data, major etiologic causes, neurophysiopathology, diagnostic criteria and treatment.

Keywords : Catatonia; etiology; diagnosis; classification; physiopathology; treatment.

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