Micheli F, Cersósimo G, Scorticati M C, Ledesma D, Molinos J
Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Clin Neuropharmacol. 1999 May-Jun;22(3):176-9.
We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with a history of a bipolar mood disorder chronically treated with lithium. Upon having the dose increased, she developed an acute confusional state accompanied by blepharospasm (BS) and apraxia of eyelid opening. Gait instability with frequent falls, pyramid tract signs, and postural tremor in both hands were also evident. On withdrawing lithium, symptoms remitted within 2 weeks. This patient illustrates that BS and apraxia of eyelid opening may be triggered by lithium overdose. Our case warrants the inclusion of lithium in the list of drugs liable to induce such movement disorders.
