Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0023380 (lethargy)
 5,697 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the light of three case histories, other personal observations and the literature, the clinical and electroencephalographical differences between absences in the limited sense and continuous LENNOX petit-mal state are described and the problems of the latter discussed. As a rule, petit-mal state is diagnosed as such in young people or adults, and practically never before the 10th year of life. In about two thirds of cases, its clinical symptomatology consists of a twilight condition lasting some hours to a few days, coupled with inertia and apathy. The remaining third of the patients usually experience milder disturbances, e.g. in the form of concentration difficulties, tiredness, and (more rarely) severe forms including lethargy. The EEG correlate of a petit-mal state is made up of continuous bilaterally synchronous, frontally marked (less frequently with exclusively frontal localization), usually irregular spike waves or poly-spike waves, which frequently occur in only rudimentary forms and register a frequency of 2 1/2-4 c/sec. For the treatment of petit-mal state, benzodiazepines and in particular clonazepam (Rivotril) (1-2 mg i.v.) are recommended. During the interval condition the same therapy as with an absence epilepsy, e.g. succinimides or dipropylacetate (Depakine) is administered. Anti-grand-mal remedies, especially hydantoins, may trigger petit-mal status.
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PMID:[The petit-mal-status]. 1 55

Clonazepam, a new anticonvulsant, appears to be useful for childhood minor motor seizures and for petit mal refractory to Ethosuximide and Trimethadione. It appears less effective in infantile spasms though may be beneficial when there is no response to steroids. It is variably effective in partial complex and focal epilepsy and may exacerbate tonic seizures. A transient disadvantage is the high incidence of side effects, especially lethargy and ataxia, though these may be transitory. Aggressivity and hyperkinesis may necessitate medication withdrawal. Some children who initially respond to therapy and then relapse may respond again to a higher dosage.
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PMID:The utility of clonazepam in epilepsy of various types. Observations with 22 childhood cases. 61 1

Although reliable biological markers of dysfunctional childhood anxiety disorders are lacking, such disorders can be recognized by their symptoms. In separation anxiety and avoidance disorders, anxiety is limited to certain settings; in overanxious disorder, anxiety is generalized. Treatment for childhood anxiety disorders has included behavioral and pharmacologic intervention alone or in combination, but evidence of the efficacy of medical treatment is sparse. Some antidepressants and benzodiazepines have undergone limited studies. Clonazepam has been chosen for further study because in adults it reduced panic attacks and produced few serious side effects. In extensive studies of clonazepam for childhood seizure disorders, side effects were reported, but later reports indicate that many side effects were due to rapid induction and large doses. Transient drowsiness, lethargy, irritability, or excitability have been reported in various epilepsy studies. Clonazepam's minimal potential for drug interactions is another feature recommending it for extended trials in childhood anxiety disorders, and such a double-blind crossover study is underway.
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PMID:High anxiety in children. 218 21