Embedded Psychiatric Services in a Multidisciplinary Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Clinic: An Assessment of Patient Needs and Perceptions.

OBJECTIVE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is often associated with a range of difficult neuropsychiatric symptoms and conditions, including depression, apathy, pseudobulbar affect, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Despite the potential role for psychiatrists in the treatment of ALS, they are not typically involved in the ALS clinical team. The investigators describe a quality improvement intervention providing embedded psychiatric services within a multidisciplinary clinic (MDC). METHODS: A psychiatrist working within an ALS MDC evaluated patients (N=116) over a 1-year period. The clinic assessed the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and conditions in patients with ALS (depression, anxiety, pseudobulbar affect, and cognitive impairment, including FTD) using standardized screening methods. Fifty-five patients and 47 family members completed surveys about perceptions of their need for psychiatric care, their experience of meeting with a psychiatrist, and their desire for future access to psychiatric care. RESULTS: Prevalence rates for neuropsychiatric symptoms were 14.9% for depression, 11.3% for anxiety, 19% for cognitive impairment (including FTD, 8.6%), and 36.2% for pseudobulbar affect; 62.0% of patients were being prescribed at least one psychotropic medication. Both patients and family members reported that meeting with a psychiatrist was helpful, that the treatment provided was helpful, and that they would prefer continued availability of psychiatric services in the future. The presence of cognitive impairment and use of antidepressants increased the likelihood of patients reporting a benefit from psychiatric care. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ALS report a benefit from increased access to psychiatric services. The inclusion of a psychiatrist within the ALS MDC model should be considered to improve quality of care for this patient population.

Hypokinetic catatonia in an adolescent with psychotic and mood disorders: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric catatonia case report and literature review. METHODS: Retrospective chart review and provider consultation. RESULTS: A case of pediatric catatonia is described in the setting of mood and psychotic disorders. Treatment course and outcomes are considered in the context of supporting literature review and discussion. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric catatonia is a debilitating and at times life threatening condition. Pediatric catatonia is historically underdiagnosed and its clinical presentation may differ from more common adult cases of catatonia. Correct identification, acute treatment, and long-term management is key to optimizing prognosis and patient outcomes.