Here we report the cases of three patients with mood disorders showing catatonia and frontotemporal lobe atrophy. Catatonia is a syndrome linked to frontal dysfunction that most frequently occurs in patients with mood disorders. The diagnostic criteria of catatonia and frontotemporal dementia partly overlap. In the present patients, catatonia might be closely related to frontal dysfunction caused by frontotemporal lobe atrophy. With regard to therapeutics for catatonia, we found that administering a low dose of lorazepam alone or after electroconvulsive therapy may be useful for treating and preventing catatonia. We also found that administering glutaminate antagonists such as memantine may be useful for treating lorazepam-resistant catatonia.
Background: Functional gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently found in elderly dementia patients. In such a case, we attempt treatment by the administration of antidepressants or second-generation antipsychotics. However, these medications have a risk of side-effects. In the present study, we carried out oral administration of Rikkunshi-to to elderly dementia patients with appetite loss, and examined its effects on food intake. Methods: Six elderly dementia patients were recruited from inpatients. They showed appetite loss, but no organic abnormalities of the gastrointestinal organs. These patients were given Rikkunshi-to, at 7.5 g per day, t.i.d. for 4 weeks. We examined the food intake, weight, total protein, albumin and potassium in plasma before administration and for 4 weeks after administration. In statistical analyses, the percentage of food consumed for 4 weeks was analyzed by ANOVA. We also examined the side-effects of Rikkunshi-to. Results: In patient 3, we stopped investigation after 3 weeks because of the development of cholecystitis. The values of 4 weeks in patient 3 were calculated as the mean values of 4 weeks in the other five patients. ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison showed a marginally significant difference in weight between before Rikkunshi-to was given and 4 weeks after. In change of food intake, there were no significant differences between before Rikkunshi-to was given and 1 day after, 1 day and 2 days after, 2 days and 3 days after, 3 days and 1 week after, and 1 week and 2 weeks after; however, there were significant increases in food intake between other times. With regard to the side-effects, mild lower limb oedema appeared in the two patients.
Conclusion:In the present study, we showed the effect of Rikkunshi-to in improving appetite loss in elderly dementia patients. The present study suggests that Rikkunshi-to might be useful in improving functional appetite loss in elderly dementia patients, because there are no serious side-effects.
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