Deleterious cognitive and motoric effects of haloperidol in an adolescent with cerebral palsy: a case report

PM R. 2013 Dec;5(12):1077-80. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.07.002.

Abstract

This case report describes a 15-year-old male patient with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System Level III, who developed severe new cognitive and motoric impairments after the administration of haloperidol. He received this dopamine antagonist and typical antipsychotic medication for an acute postoperative episode of agitation. He improved when he received the dopamine agonists amantadine and carbidopa/levodopa. This case suggests that dopamine blockade may be deleterious for individuals with cerebral palsy. Potential explanations for the events observed in this case are also presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amantadine / therapeutic use
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use
  • Cerebral Palsy / drug therapy*
  • Cerebral Palsy / psychology*
  • Cognition Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Dopamine Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Haloperidol / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Psychomotor Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychomotor Disorders / drug therapy

Substances

  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Drug Combinations
  • carbidopa, levodopa drug combination
  • Levodopa
  • Amantadine
  • Haloperidol
  • Carbidopa