The dangers of neuroleptic use in Parkinsonian-spectrum illnesses - management of emergent hypodopaminergic syndromes and catatonia

• Published in: The American journal of geriatric psychiatry 2023-03, Vol.31 (3), p.S32-S33
• Main Author: Patel, Rohan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1064-7481; 1545-7214
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2022.12.068

In Parkinson disease (PD), the incidence of psychotic symptoms has an estimated rate of 25-30%, a cumulative long term prevalence rate of 60%, with visual hallucinations being the most common type of sensory hallucination. The use of high and low potency, antidopaminergic, antipsychotic medications (AP) have the potential to exacerbate motor symptoms of PD and precipitate neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome in PD known as Parkinson hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS), and catatonia in at risk population. Here, we present a clinical case and a review of the current treatment modalities available for movement disorder emergencies in parkinsonian-spectrum illnesses (PSI). Patient was assessed by a multidisciplinary team, including neurology and a geriatric consult-liaison psychiatry service. This is a case report of a 79-year-old man with no previous psychiatric history, an initial diagnosis of PD due to early emergence of tremors and motor symptoms responsive to levodopa-carbidopa (LC). This was followed by progressive cognitive impairments, delusional jealousy, and formed visual hallucinations, which prompted concern for cortical lewy body involvement. Pimavanserin was initiated for presumed diagnosis of Parkinson disease psychosis and ameliorated the frequency of visual hallucinations. Patient presented to the hospital for agitation and was positive for COVID-19 on admission; prior to this, he had missed doses of LC and was febrile per family. He received intramuscular haloperidol and ziprasidone for behavioral disturbances and subsequently developed delirium, severe VH's, elevated serum CK, diffuse rigidity, and hyperactive non-purposeful activity, raising concern for NMS. Emergent treatment included bromocriptine, lorazepam, and supportive measures; home dose of LC and pimavanserin were resumed after significant reductions in CK levels. Unfortunately, rigidity and delirium persisted leading to a prolonged hospitalization and requirement of a nasogastric tube for malnutrition. Neurology was concerned for PHS due to clinical overlap with NMS. Psychiatry consult-liaison service suspected protracted delirium and catatonia secondary to recent COVID-19 infection and neuroleptic use. Initial Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Score (BFCRS) was 22. Treatment trials of benzodiazepines, amantadine and memantine were unsuccessful due to adverse effects of excessive sedation, myoclonus, and increase aggression, respectively. Ultimately, bila