The Effect of Levodopa on Akinetic Mutism in Bilateral Anterior Cerebral Artery Infarction: A case report.

, Kim, Deog Young; , Park, Chang il; , Ohn, Suk Hoon; , Lim, Jong Youb

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2007;31(2):238-242.

Kim, Deog Young , Park, Chang il , Ohn, Suk Hoon , Lim, Jong Youb

Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. presider@hanmail.net

양측 전대뇌동맥 경색에 의한 무동무언증에서 레보도파의 효과 ⁣증례 보고⁣

김덕용, 박창일, 온석훈, 임종엽

연세대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실 및 재활의학연구소

Abstract

Akinetic mutism is a clinical syndrome in which the patient is unable to speak (mutism) or move (akinesia). Various brain lesions can induce akinetic mutism. We attended a 71-year-old woman who presented with akinetic mutism caused by bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction. The patient improved after the administration of levodopa combined with carbidopa, in response to visual and verbal stimuli. Increased verbal output and spontaneous motor activities were also noted. Levodopa may be helpful to the treatment of akinetic mutism. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 238-242)

Key Words: Akinetic mutism, Anterior cerebral artery infarction, Levodopa