Depression and mania associated with Kleine-Levin-Critchley syndrome

Kleine-Levin syndrome and bipolar disorder: a differential diagnosis of recurrent and resistant depression

OBJECTIVES

Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare sleep disorder (1-2 reported cases per one million individuals) primarily affecting young subjects. Episodes are characterized by hypersomnia, cognitive impairment, feelings of derealization, and, less frequently, hyperphagia (66%), hypersexuality [53% (principally men)], and depressed mood [53% (predominantly women)]. KLS cases are frequently misdiagnosed and pose therapeutic challenges (i.e., amantadine and mood stabilizers are only marginally effective). The cause of KLS is unknown, but an association between KLS and mood disorders has been suggested by some clinical analogies.

METHODS

We report the case of a 44-year-old Caucasian woman with bipolar I disorder referred by her psychiatrist to our psychiatric center for recurrent and resistant major depression according to DSM-IV-TR criteria.

RESULTS

Following examination, we confirmed the diagnoses of bipolar I disorder and KLS. The patient experienced about 15 evenly distributed KLS episodes, each lasting about one week, which occurred during the six years following her first manifestation at age 18 years. An electroencephalogram was performed during a KLS episode and showed high-amplitude theta waves in the left and right temporal lobes, with predominance in the left hemisphere. The pronounced bipolar disorder symptomatology, starting at 15 years of age with major depression and a suicide attempt, had impeded the identification of KLS, which was not diagnosed until the age of 42.

CONCLUSIONS

Bipolar disorder may obscure KLS, with each condition adversely affecting the course of the other, and consequently, the co-occurrence of KLS and bipolar disorder may be underestimated. KLS and bipolar disorder may share common vulnerability factors, such as immune-inflammatory and circadian disturbances, and there may be a genetic predisposition for both. Additionally, mood stabilizers may be effective for KLS and bipolar disorder.

[Kleine-Levin syndrome: a case report]

The purpose of this article is to report an original clinical case whose symptoms suggest a very peculiar pathology, because of its rarity, symptomatic expression and unclear etiopathogenesis: the Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS). During the regression of tonsillitis concomitant with an emotional shock, the 15-year-old patient exhibited a dramatic change in behaviour, at odds with his previous state, and accompanied by hypersomnia and confusion, megaphagia, irritability, hypersexuality and mood disorders. We observed a spontaneous and total regression of the symptoms after 12 days, except for the incomplete amnesia that proved to be persistent. Four months later, further to an ethylic drunkenness, the patient presented with a new and similar episode. The patient benefited from no medicinal treatment, even in the course of hypersomnia episodes and asymptomatic periods. After a clinical presentation of this patient, we will consider this case study from a more psychopathological angle by questioning the existence of a facilitating psychological profile. The discovery of an IQ equal to 86 from the scores of WISC-IV, and the identification of constructive visual difficulties made us suspect neurological disorders, but these abnormalities were not found during the completion of the Rey Complex Figure Test. The personality profile issued from the scores at the MMPI-A assessment was ranked as barely significant (type 2-4): indeed, it showed nothing specific to this patient. Literature data show that most of the patients presenting with a KLS have been seen by a psychiatrist at the time of the disease and diagnosed as suffering from hysteria, or schizophrenia, or bipolar disorders... Because of diagnostic wanderings, some patients have, hence, received inappropriate treatments. One should pay close attention to this very rare syndrome, on the border between neurology and psychiatry, since its diagnosis is essentially based on clinical features, and carefully think about the implementation of a medicinal treatment. This unique case seems unable to support our working hypothesis about the identification of a particular psychological profile in the KLS, but the question of an underlying fragility is still worth considering. We personally think that, even though links between the KLS and bipolar disorders have been suggested, this disease has to be considered as a separate entity.

Kleine-Levin syndrome: interface between neurology and psychiatry

We report the first episode of Kleine-Levin (KLS) syndrome in a 17-year-old male. The illness onset, clinical features, neuropsychological evaluation and polysomnographic recording are described. Typical symptoms hypersomnia, hyperphagia and sexual disinhibition were observed besides behavioral disturbances, polysomnographic and neuropsychological alterations. Behavioral disturbances similar to a manic episode including psychotic symptoms were relevant. The pharmacologic treatment included lithium, methylphenidate and risperidone. The introduction of risperidone aimed the control of psychotic symptoms and the persistent manifestations of hypersexuality after sleepiness control and to the best of our knowledge there are no other reports regarding risperidone use for KLS in the literature.

Neuropsychological sequelae in Kleine-Levin syndrome: case report

Kleine-Levin syndrome is characterized by periodic hypersomnia, hyperphagia, sexual disinhibitions and behavioral disturbances. The prognosis is generally benign, with normal cognitive and social functions after the episodes. We describe a typical case of Kleine-Levin syndrome associated with apparent academic decline, neuropsychological sequelae and personality alterations after the second episode of the illness. Further research in the natural history of Kleine-Levin syndrome is needed, for example, to determine whether early intervention would improve long-term prognosis.

The Kleine-Levin syndrome. Report of a case and review of the literature

Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare self-limited disorder which usually affects adolescent males and is characterized by episodic hypersomnia, increased appetite, and behavioral/psychiatric disturbances. Individuals are normal between the attacks. The case of an adolescent boy is presented who suffered from recurrent sleepiness, hyperphagia, and behavioral disturbances such as rocking, punching and pacing, and was originally misdiagnosed as suffering from encephalitis. Before the diagnosis of Kleine-Levin was given, the patient underwent unnecessary investigations and treatment which, in turn, complicated his clinical condition both physically as well as psychologically. In the course of five years he had four such episodes which appeared to have progressively milder manifestations. Between episodes he was normal. It is important that the diagnosis is suspected early, especially in adolescent males who present with recurrent episodes of somnolence, increased appetite, and abnormal behavior, since it most often represents a benign and self-limited entity and does not warrant extensive investigations or treatment. It is also important to distinguish this syndrome from more serious organic and psychiatric diseases with more serious prognoses. The differential diagnosis of this syndrome is discussed and a review of the literature is presented including evidence and hypotheses regarding its pathophysiology.

Update on lithium carbonate therapy in children and adolescents

The use of lithium to treat child and adolescent psychiatric disorders is becoming more common. Since the publication of the report of The Committee on Biological Aspects of Child Psychiatry of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry in 1978, a considerable body of literature has accumulated on the efficacy of lithium in treating adolescent bipolar disorders, childhood aggression, and behavioral disorders associated with mental retardation and developmental disorders. Efforts to understand lithium's mechanism(s) and refinements in psychiatric diagnosis have contributed to its growing use.

Kleine-Levin syndrome: a case report

Kleine-Levin Syndrome is an unusual sleep disorder occurring predominantly, but not exclusively, in late adolescent males. A case is described which illustrates some of the difficulties in diagnosis and management.

[Kleine-Levin syndrome. Report of a case]

A case of a 14 year-old boy suffering from Kleine-Levin syndrome is described. The diagnosis was made by symptoms which suggested this disorder: megaphagia, hypersomnia and hypersexuality. A brief review is made emphasizing the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome which is frequently misdiagnosed.

A disorder unique to adolescence? The Kleine-Levin syndrome

The Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare disorder. In the pure form it is a diagnosis that can only be made in adolescent males. The patient described fits this category and can be added to similar case histories reported in the world literature. Evidence is presented to suggest a link between the Kleine-Levin syndrome and the cyclical affective disorders.

Organic causes of mania

Manic syndromes have many neurologic, toxic, and metabolic causes. It is important for clinicians to be able to distinguish these organic disorders from primary idiopathic mania (bipolar disorder). The cardinal symptom of organic mania is an abnormally and persistently elevated or irritable mood. Organic mania usually develops in patients who are older than 35 years of age, whereas bipolar disorder generally has its onset between late adolescence and age 25 years. In patients with the first episode of mania, the clinician should thoroughly elicit information about current symptoms, recent infections, use of drugs, and past or family history of psychiatric disorders. In addition, a complete medical examination, computed tomography of the head, electroencephalography, and screening for drugs and toxins should be done. Treatment of organic mania includes correcting the underlying disorder when possible.

Organic delusions: phenomenology, anatomical correlations, and review

Organic delusions are common, but have received little systematic study. Review of the literature reveals that they occur most commonly in toxic-metabolic processes and in disorders affecting the limbic system and basal ganglia. A prospective study of 20 consecutive patients with organic delusions revealed four general types of false beliefs: simple persecutory delusions, complex persecutory delusions, grandiose delusions, and those associated with specific neurological defects (anosognosia, reduplicative paramnesia). Simple delusions responded best to treatment, and complex delusions were more resistent. Acting on delusional beliefs was not unusual, and treatment of the delusions was an important aspect of management of the patient.

A review of clinical trials of lithium in neurology

Lithium has been put to clinical trials in no less than fifteen neurological disorders. They are Huntington's chorea, tardive dyskinesia, spasmodic torticollis, Tourette's syndrome, L-dopa induced hyperkinesia and the "on-off" phenomenon in parkinsonism, organic brain disorders secondary to brain-injury, drug induced delusional disorders, migraine and cluster headache, periodic hypersomnolence, epilepsy, meniere's disease and periodic hypokalemic paralysis. This paper gives a brief summary of the clinical trials with lithium salts reported in the literature. There are encouraging results on the use of lithium in cluster headaches, cyclic form of migraine and hypomanic mood disorders due to organic brain disorders. The trials with lithium and amitriptyline in tardive dyskinesia needs independent confirmation. The effect of lithium on seizure disorders needs to be addressed too.

The treatment of Kleine-Levin syndrome with lithium

A case of Kleine-Levin Syndrome without megaphagia is described in an adolescent male who responded well to lithium treatment. Seventy-two hours of sleep monitoring during a typical attack revealed decreased stages three and four but no sleep-onset REM period. Recent reports, including the present one, strongly suggest that Lithium Carbonate may be the treatment of choice for the Kleine-Levin Syndrome.

Clinical uses of lithium salts

A comprehensive overview of the clinical aspects of lithium therapy is presented. Emphasis is placed on recent developments regarding the clinical uses of Li2CO3 in non-psychiatric conditions. The established efficacy of the drug in the treatment and prophylaxis of mania and bipolar affective disorders is noted, and the evidence supporting the use of lithium salts as a prophylactic agent in unipolar depression, aggressive behavior, schizophrenic disorders and organic brain dysfunction is discussed. The use of lithium carbonate in various disorders of movement and in certain extrapyramidal diseases is summarized, as are the results of its trials in alcoholism and drug abuse. In addition, uses of Li2CO3 in asthma, thyroid diseases, granulocytopenia, headache, bowel disease, anesthesiology, cardiology, and sleep disorders are summarized. The data suggests the potential effectiveness of Li2CO3 in a variety of clinical conditions other than those for which it is classically indicated, provided more detailed double-blind studies are performed.

Kleine-Levin syndrome in a female patient

A female patient suffering from Kleine-Levin Syndrome is described. The clinical picture of hypersomnia with compulsive eating, leading to obesity, coupled with a marked change in personality make-up (characterized by episodes of confusion, perplexity, disorientation, tension, irritability and depression, in addition to violent outbursts of aggression when her demands were not instantly met) led to the conclusion that the symptom complex presenting had an organic etiology and was akin to that described in the Kleine-Levin Syndrome. The neuropathological findings are reported.