Novel Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Adolescents with Early Recovery Stage of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome or Catatonia

Abstract

There are limited options to treat psychotic symptoms during early recovery stage of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and catatonic symptoms in adolescents because of restrictions on the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Add-on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatment twice daily for five consecutive days showed improvement in auditory–visual hallucinations and cognitive and bio-social functioning during early recovery stages of NMS in an adolescent. The use of tDCS in another adolescent diagnosed with severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms and catatonia showed improvement in staring, mutism, rigidity, and interaction with add-on tDCS. The improvement observed lasted for a short duration and tDCS treatment was well tolerated without any severe adverse effect.