Improvement of generalised dystonia by olanzapine treatment

J Clin Neurosci. 2004 Jan;11(1):84-6. doi: 10.1016/s0967-5868(03)00069-9.

Abstract

This is the first report on generalised dystonia beneficially treated by olanzapine. A 63-year-old Taiwanese man with intractable general dystonia was treated with olanzapine starting at a dose of 2.5 mg/day to the maximal dose of 15 mg/day. Clinically, there was slow, but steady, improvement in his dystonia and disability after olanzapine treatment. Evaluation of his dystonia 3 months later revealed 70% improvement on dystonic movement and 60% on disability on the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Scale. The result suggests that treatment with olanzapine can be an alternative therapy for patients with generalised dystonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Dystonia / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Olanzapine
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Olanzapine