[Recurrent idiopathic stupor in a patient: responsibility of exogenous or endogenous benzodiazepines?]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2002 Sep;158(8-9):824-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Recurrent transitory consciousness loss represents a neurological diagnostic difficulty. A 56 year old man was hospitalised for recurrent stupor episodes. Explorations allowed to exclude hepatic, renal or respiratory failures, epilepsy or sleep disorder. During a stuporous state, since the patient was clearly awakened by flumazenil administration, the retained diagnosis was idiopathic recurrent stupor, a rare and not well-known disease. The authors discuss the possible effect of a treatment with zolpidem, though its pharmacokinetic characteristics did not correspond to the patient manifestations, and the possible responsibility of endogenous benzodiazepines in the genesis of this trouble.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Benzodiazepines / adverse effects*
  • Benzodiazepines / metabolism*
  • Coma / chemically induced*
  • Coma / drug therapy
  • Coma / metabolism*
  • Flumazenil / therapeutic use
  • GABA Modulators / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • GABA Modulators
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Flumazenil