Title:Rethinking Catatonia: New Insights from the Autism Spectrum
Volume: 22
Issue: 4
Author(s): Liliana Dell’Osso, Daniela Toschi, Giulia Amatori*Camilla Gesi
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Keywords:
Catatonia, catatonic spectrum, autism spectrum disorder, psychomotor retardation, CNS, DSM-5.
Abstract: Initially conceptualized as a subtype of schizophrenia, catatonia has progressively been recognized
to occur in a wide variety of conditions as a kind of final common pathway for many severe
mental disorders. There is a significant overlap between the fundamental symptoms of autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) and catatonia, and ASD can frequently complicate catatonic states. While
provocative, the hypothesis that neuroatypicality may represent the submerged structural piece underlying
catatonic states is intriguing. Yet, the multifaced relationship between catatonia and ASD may
provide new insights into the etiology and treatment of both disorders.