Electroconvulsive treatment in Parkinson's disease and psychosis: A case report

Background Drug induced parkinsonism is a common side effect. Objective The present report describes the case of a schizophrenic patient who developed a parkinsonism after receiving antipsychotic drugs and who had improved his schizophrenia and parkinsonism after electrovulsive therapy. Case summary We report the case of a man, who is 35 years old and was admitted to a psychiatric ward, due to decompensated schizophrenia with psychotic features. The patient developed pronounced parkinsonian features, which did not improve with discontinuation of the drug or with carbidopa/levodopa. After several unsuccessful treatments, the patient was treated with ECT and showed improvement in both diseases. Results The patient's response to this treatment justifies the use of ECT in patients with both syndromes: a psychosis productive and Parkinson's disease. Even the maintenance therapy can establish the initial response achieved and keep it through time. We should keep in mind that the management of these patients, can be extremely difficult because the medications used to both disorders are antagonistic. Conclusion ECT can be considered in patients with a psychiatric illness associated with parkinsonism.