Going Back to Kahlbaum's Psychomotor (and GABAergic) Origins: Is Catatonia More Than Just a Motor and Dopaminergic Syndrome?

In 1874, Karl Kahlbaum described catatonia as an independent syndrome characterized by motor, affective, and behavioral anomalies. In the following years, various catatonia concepts were established with all sharing the prime focus on motor and behavioral symptoms while largely neglecting affective changes. In 21st century, catatonia is a well-characterized clinical syndrome. Yet, its neurobiological origin is still not clear because methodological shortcomings of hitherto studies had hampered this challenging effort. To fully capture the clinical picture of catatonia as emphasized by Karl Kahlbaum, 2 decades ago a new catatonia scale was developed (Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale [NCRS]). Since then, studies have used NCRS to allow for a more mechanistic insight of catatonia. Here, we undertook a systematic review searching for neuroimaging studies using motor/behavioral catatonia rating scales/criteria and NCRS published up to March 31, 2019. We included 19 neuroimaging studies. Studies using motor/behavioral catatonia rating scales/criteria depict cortical and subcortical motor regions mediated by dopamine as neuronal and biochemical substrates of catatonia. In contrast, studies relying on NCRS found rather aberrant higher-order frontoparietal networks which, biochemically, are insufficiently modulated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic and glutamatergic transmission. This is further supported by the high therapeutic efficacy of GABAergic agents in acute catatonia. In sum, this systematic review points out the difference between motor/behavioral and NCRS-based classification of catatonia on both neuronal and biochemical grounds. That highlights the importance of Kahlbaum's original truly psychomotor concept of catatonia for guiding both research and clinical diagnosis and therapy.

Catatonia.

One of the most exciting psychiatric conditions is the bizarre psychomotor syndrome called catatonia, which may present with a large number of different motor signs and even vegetative instability. Catatonia is potentially life threatening. The use of benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been efficient in the majority of patients. The rich clinical literature of the past has attempted to capture the nature of catatonia. But the lack of diagnostic clarity and operationalization has hampered research on catatonia for a long time. Within the last decades, it became clear that catatonia had to be separated from schizophrenia, which was finally accomplished in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). In DSM-5, catatonia syndrome may be diagnosed as a specifier to major mood disorders, psychotic disorders, general medical conditions, and as catatonia not otherwise specified. This allows diagnosing the syndrome in a large variety of psychiatric disorders. Currently, the pathobiology remains widely unknown. Suspected neurotransmitter systems include gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate. Neuroimaging reports pointed to reduced resting state activity and reduced task activation in motor areas of the frontal and parietal cortex. The new classification of catatonia will foster more clinical research and neuroscientific approaches by testing catatonia in various populations and applying stringent criteria. The scarce number of prospective trials will hopefully increase, as more trials will be encouraged within a more precise concept of catatonia.

[Catatonia in childhood and adolescence: obstacles to diagnosis and treatment]. / Katatonie in de kindertijd en adole-s-centie: obstakels bij de diagnose en behandeling.

BACKGROUND: Catatonia in children and adolescents is the same as it is for adults; in other words it is a recognisable psychomotor syndrome that follows a characteristic course and responds favourably to treatment with benzodiazepines and/or ect. Therefore, one would not expect to encumber many obstacles to diagnosis and treatment. In fact, the obstacles are fairly numerous. AIM: To explore the obstacles that can hinder a simple approach to diagnosis and treatment and to provide support for the clinicians involved. METHOD: We studied the literature systematically using Limo and keywords. RESULTS: For several decades, particularly in the literature, catatonia was defined as a subtype of schizophrenia. This exclusive link to schizophrenia led to the under-diagnosis of catatonia in patients with other psychiatric conditions and to delays in the administration of the correct treatment. Not only this historical error but also other important problems are complicating the approach to catatonia even today. Among other factors hindering diagnosis and treatment are the belief that catatonia is a rare illness, often denied by family members and some clinicians, the use of neuroleptics and the stigmatisation of benzodiazepines and/or ect. CONCLUSION: Controversy about catatonia continues. Although diagnosis and treatment are clearly defined, catatonia is still putting professionals to the test. In our essay we offer some practical guidance and advice.

[Catatonia]. / La catatonie.

In the new classification of the DSM-V, catatonia is individualized as a disease of its own. It is defined by presence of at least two out of five criteria: motor immobility, negativism, echolalia or echopraxia, sterile motor activity, atypical movements. The priority is to look first for organic causes: the main ones are neurologic disorders. Intoxication may also be found (illegal drugs or medication), and the role of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in catatonia remains unclear. Among the psychiatric causes, first come bipolar disorders, especially mania; then schizophrenia. Idiopathic forms can also be observed. Epidemiological work on catatonia show highly variable results, highlighting a possible underestimation of the diagnosis. Among the differential diagnoses, which are rare motor syndromes, neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome are also discussed. The diagnosis of catatonia is clinical and can be obtained using standardized diagnostic scales. The use of zolpidem provides both a diagnostic and therapeutic guidance for the degree of response to drug treatment. The physiopathological hypotheses describe an intracerebral GABAergic, dopaminergic and glutamatergic dysfunction in catatonic patients. The complete mechanisms are still partly unknown. Benzodiazepines are the first treatment of choice. Electroconvulsive therapy is used secondarily or in severe cases. First-generation antipsychotics are prohibited, at the risk of worsening the catatonia in becoming malignant and lethal. The renewed interest in the catatonic syndrome during the past recent years has expanded research on the mechanisms of this syndrome and opened the way to new therapeutic options. The latest works tend to modulate the strict prohibition of antipsychotic in a catatonic patient.

Melancholia and catatonia: disorders or specifiers?

The fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 defines mental disorders as syndromes and also introduced disorder "specifiers" with the aim of providing increased diagnostic specificity by defining more homogeneous subgroups of those with the disorder and who share certain features. While the majority of specifiers in DSM-5 define a specific aspect of the disorder such as age at onset or severity, some define syndromes that appear to meet the DSM-5 definition of a mental disorder. Specifically, melancholia is positioned in DSM-5 as a major depressive disorder (non-coded) specifier, while catatonia is listed as both a disorder secondary to a medical condition and as a specifier associated with other mental disorders such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. Despite decades of research supporting melancholia's status as a categorical "disorder" (a higher-order construct than a specifier), failure to provide convincing support for its disorder status has contributed to its current positioning in DSM-5. As DSM-5 has similar symptom criteria for major depression and for its melancholia specifier, research seeking to differentiate melancholic and non-melancholic depression according to DSM-5 criteria will have limited capacity to demonstrate "melancholia" as a separate disorder and risks melancholia continuing to be reified as a low-order specifier and thus clinical marginalization. There have been few advances in catatonia research in recent years with its positioning largely relying on opinion and clinical observation rather than on empirical studies.

[The schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders in the DSM-5]. / Schizofreniespectrum en andere psychotische stoornissen in de DSM-5.

BACKGROUND: This article discusses changes made in the diagnostic criteria for psychotic disorders in the transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5. AIM: To review and evaluate the changes incorporated in the DSM-5 criteria for psychotic disorders. METHOD: Relevant documents and proceedings were reviewed on the basis of personal experience in the APA working group on psychotic disorders. RESULTS: The chapter on the 'schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders' in DSM-5 introduces a conceptual psychosis continuum, in which the level, number and duration of psychotic signs and symptoms are used to differentiate between various forms of psychotic disorders. The chapter includes only a few marginal adjustments, aimed at simplifying usage and measurement-based treatment. The DSM-5 Committee also aspired for harmonization with the ICD. The Committee was in favor of a new name for schizophrenia, but referred the matter to the WHO. The empirical basis for 'attentuated psychosis syndrome' was found to be insufficient for the syndrome to be included as a diagnosis. The most important changes in the criteria for schizophrenia are the elimination of the classic subtypes, the clarification of cross-sectional and longitudinal course specifiers, the elimination of special status of Schneiderian first-rank symptoms, and the clarification and better delineation of schizophrenia in terms of: a) the relationship between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders and b) the relationship between schizophrenia and catatonia. In schizoaffective disorder, the perspective shifts from an episode diagnosis in DSM-IV to a life course for the illness in DSM-5. Although the committee gave serious consideration to the inclusion of trans-diagnostic dimensions, these have not been included; a factor that precludes more personalised diagnoses, at least for the time being. CONCLUSION: The limitations of the classic system of categorical diagnosis are widely acknowledged and serious consideration has been given to the abolition of this type of diagnosis or at least to the possibility of enriching it with a transdiagnostic focus on dimensions of psychopathology. These steps have not been taken in DSM-5 - for the consensus committees this is evidently still a bridge too far.

The catatonia conundrum: controversies and contradictions.

Although catatonia is known to psychiatrists for more than a century, it is still poorly understood, often under recognized, have inspired debate and criticism about nosological status of the catatonic syndrome in recent times without reaching its conclusion. It can present with a number of psychiatric and medical illnesses and is easily treatable, though treatment response varies depending upon the underlying condition and can lead on to a multitude of complications, if not treated. Some issues are more than forty catatonic signs are available to scientific audience for diagnosis; threshold number for labelling varies according to the nosological system followed and the underlying condition; and mood stabilizers like carbamazepine and lithium are helpful in some cases of idiopathic periodic catatonia. Researchers have been asking for a separate diagnostic category for catatonia since long and the debate has gained pace over the last few years, with new editions of both DSM and ICD coming up. Therefore, this paper looks at the controversies associated with the diagnosis and classification of catatonia, the arguments and counter-arguments and future directions, in crisp.

Catatonia in DSM-5.

Although catatonia has historically been associated with schizophrenia and is listed as a subtype of the disorder, it can occur in patients with a primary mood disorder and in association with neurological diseases and other general medical conditions. Consequently, catatonia secondary to a general medical condition was included as a new condition and catatonia was added as an episode specifier of major mood disorders in DSM-IV. Different sets of criteria are utilized to diagnose catatonia in schizophrenia and primary mood disorders versus neurological/medical conditions in DSM-IV, however, and catatonia is a codable subtype of schizophrenia but a specifier for major mood disorders without coding. In part because of this discrepant treatment across the DSM-IV manual, catatonia is frequently not recognized by clinicians. Additionally, catatonia is known to occur in several conditions other than schizophrenia, major mood disorders, or secondary to a general medical condition. Four changes are therefore made in the treatment of catatonia in DSM-5. A single set of criteria will be utilized to diagnose catatonia across the diagnostic manual and catatonia will be a specifier for both schizophrenia and major mood disorders. Additionally, catatonia will also be a specifier for other psychotic disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, and substance-induced psychotic disorder. A new residual category of catatonia not otherwise specified will be added to allow for the rapid diagnosis and specific treatment of catatonia in severely ill patients for whom the underlying diagnosis is not immediately available. These changes should improve the consistent recognition of catatonia across the range of psychiatric disorders and facilitate its specific treatment.

Psychotic disorders in DSM-5: summary of changes.

Key issues related to the diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders addressed in DSM-5 were more precisely defining diagnostic boundaries between different psychotic disorders, reducing spurious comorbidity, improving coherence across the diagnostic manual, and enhancing validity without loss of reliability. New information about the nature of these disorders generated since DSM-IV was incorporated into their definition. Resulting changes in DSM-5 include elimination of the classic subtypes of schizophrenia, elimination of special treatment of Schneiderian 'first-rank symptoms', more precise delineation of schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia and psychotic mood disorders, and clarification of the nosologic status of catatonia and its consistent treatment across the manual. Changes in section 3 of the manual include addition of a new category of "attenuated psychosis syndrome" as a condition for further study and addition of unique psychopathological dimensions (that represent treatment targets across disorders). The specific nature of these revisions in the DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders along with their rationale are summarized in this article.

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in DSM-5.

Whereas improving validity and reliability of psychiatric diagnoses were key objectives in the development of DSM-5, enhancing clinical utility was the primary goal. With reference to psychotic disorders, changes addressed limitations in DSM-IV while incorporating new information about the nature of these disorders generated over the past twenty years. With regard to schizophrenia, variation in distinct psychopathological dimensions has been found to better account for the heterogeneity of schizophrenia than traditional subtypes. Resulting changes in DSM-5 will likely include elimination of the classic subtypes of schizophrenia and addition of unique psychopathological dimensions, along with elimination of the special treatment of Schneiderian "first-rank symptoms." In view of the poor reliability and limited validity of DSM-IV schizoaffective disorder, a clearer definition is provided in DSM-5. Considering the discrepant treatment of catatonia in DSM-IV, it is treated consistently across the DSM-5 manual. Minor changes are made in the definition of delusional disorder to reduce spurious comorbidity and unnecessary complexity. A new category of "attenuated psychosis syndrome" is included in the appendix as a condition for further study. In this article, major likely revisions in the DSM-5 (due to be published in May 2013) criteria for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders are summarized and their implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Catatonia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome: two disorders on a same spectrum? Four case reports.

We present the history of four bipolar patients who developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) after antipsychotic treatment, focusing on the relationship between NMS and catatonia. In all cases, the administration of antipsychotics has been suspended as soon as fever and autonomic disturbances occurred. A supportive therapy was initiated to stabilize general conditions, then every patient started electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in combination with benzodiazepines (BDZ). The risk of complications was reduced by the quick adoption of supportive care, whereas the combination of ECT and BDZ was effective in resolving the clinical picture. These cases may provide further support to the hypothesis that catatonia and NMS are disorders pertaining to the same spectrum of illness because the onset or exacerbation of catatonic symptoms coincided with the administration of antipsychotics. Our experience confirms the efficacy and safety of ECT in combination with BDZ as treatment of NMS and residual catatonia.

Has Kahlbaum syndrome disappeared or is it underdiagnosed? Reexamining the nosology of catatonia.

In contemporary psychiatric classification such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, catatonia is classified as a subtype of schizophrenia and not as an independent disorder. However, catatonia does not seem to obey nosological boundaries and is seen with both affective and nonaffective psychoses. We conducted a chart review of patients to examine the nosological status of catatonia. Our data suggest that catatonia is a syndrome of varied manifestation possibly related to both affective and nonaffective psychoses with a subgroup independent of both. Further prospective studies examining the natural course are needed, which could have significant implications on future classificatory systems.

[Rating scales for assessing catatonia; which ones are the best?]. / Katatonie meten: welke schaal te kiezen?

BACKGROUND: Despite increasing scientific and clinical interest in catatonia, there is still no precise definition of this psychiatric disorder. AIM: To study the relevant literature and review systematically the various rating scales that have been developed for assessing catatonia in clinical practice. METHOD: Several searches were performed using Medline, the latest one in August 2010. RESULTS Seven catatonia rating scales were retrieved and studied: the Modified Rogers Scale, the Rogers Catatonia Scale, the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), the Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale (NCRS), the Braunig Catatonia Scale (BCRS), the Bush-Francis Catatonia Scale- Revised version and the Kanner Scale. CONCLUSION: Several scales are suitable for assessing catatonia in clinical practice. The BFCRS, the NCRS and the BCRS are reliable scales for use in various clinical populations in which catatonia is prevalent. For routine use in clinical practice, the scale of choice is the BFCRS because it is well-founded, reliable and easy to administer.

Measuring catatonia: a systematic review of rating scales.

BACKGROUND: Despite a growing scientific and clinical interest in catatonia, its precise definition remains debated. AIM: The aim of this study was to offer a systematic review of the different rating scales that have been developed to assess catatonia in clinical practice. METHODS: A Medline-search was performed, up to December 2010. RESULTS: Seven catatonia rating scales were retrieved: the Modified Rogers Scale, the Rogers Catatonia Scale, the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS), and its revision, the Northoff Catatonia Rating Scale (NCRS), the Braunig Catatonia Rating Scale (BCRS), and the Kanner Scale. CONCLUSION: Several catatonia rating scales are proposed to detect the catatonic syndrome and to evaluate treatment response. BFCRS, NCRS and BCRS are reliable for use in variable populations in which catatonia is prevalent. The BFCRS is preferred for routine use, because of its validity and reliability, and its ease of administration.

The study of pediatric catatonia supports a home of its own for catatonia in DSM-5.

The study of pediatric catatonia has not received much attention. During the last few years, progress has been made in delineating this syndrome in children and adolescents across a wide range of disorders. Catatonia is a potentially life-threatening but treatable syndrome that also occurs in children and adolescents with autistic, developmental, and tic disorders, and in its idiopathic form. In many of these cases, catatonia cannot be accounted for by an associated psychotic, affective, or medical disorder. These findings are imminently relevant for classification where catatonia is currently restricted to sections of the psychotic, affective, or medical disorders. Catatonia should always be the primary diagnosis in children, adolescents, and adults, as specific treatments for catatonia, i.e., benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy, lower risk of worsening catatonia or precipitating Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome when antipsychotic medications are used as first-line or sole treatment. The creation of a separate diagnostic class for catatonia is the safest approach to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome in patients of all ages and the best approach to promote research.

Catatonia: diagnosis, classification, and treatment.

Catatonia is a distinct neuropsychiatric syndrome that is becoming more recognized clinically and in ongoing research. It occurs with psychiatric, metabolic, or neurologic conditions. It may occur in many forms, including neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Treatment with benzodiazepines or electroconvulsive therapy leads to a dramatic and rapid response, although systematic, randomized trials are lacking. An important unresolved question is the role of antipsychotic agents in treatment and their potential adverse effects.

[Chronic catatonias]. / Catatonías Crónicas.

The present article is intended to review the clinical profile of chronic catatonias as described by the Wernicke-Kleist-Leonhard's school of psychiatry: chronic psychoses characterized by a motor profile symptomatology that differs from that present in acute catatonia.

Catatonia is not schizophrenia: Kraepelin's error and the need to recognize catatonia as an independent syndrome in medical nomenclature.

Catatonia is a motor dysregulation syndrome described by Karl Kahlbaum in 1874. He understood catatonia as a disease of its own. Others quickly recognized it among diverse disorders, but Emil Kraepelin made it a linchpin of his concept of dementia praecox. Eugen Bleuler endorsed this singular association. During the 20th century, catatonia has been considered a type of schizophrenia. In the 1970s, American authors identified catatonia in patients with mania and depression, as a toxic response, and in general medical and neurologic illnesses. It was only occasionally found in patients with schizophrenia. When looked for, catatonia is found in 10% or more of acute psychiatric admissions. It is readily diagnosable, verifiable by a lorazepam challenge test, and rapidly treatable. Even in its most lethal forms, it responds to high doses of lorazepam or to electroconvulsive therapy. These treatments are not accepted for patients with schizophrenia. Prompt recognition and treatment saves lives. It is time to place catatonia into its own home in the psychiatric classification.