Restless legs syndrome as side effect of second generation antidepressants.

Although of clinical interest, the question is still not fully answered whether antidepressants (AD) can cause or exacerbate restless legs syndrome (RLS). The literature provides contradictory information. This study addresses this problem for the class of second generation AD.

Effects of intravenous opioids on eye movements in humans: possible mechanisms.

Oculomotor symptoms such as downbeat nystagmus can be due to side effects of drugs. We investigated the clinical effects as well as the eye movement symptoms after intravenous administration of opiates (pethidine and fentanyl). Eye movements were recorded with the magnetic search coil technique.

[Valproic acid in prophylaxis of bipolar disorder. A case of valproate-induced encephalopathy].

A 28-year-old patient with a 5-year history of bipolar disorder developed signs of encephalopathy 2 weeks after the addition of valproic acid to his treatment regimen of doxepine, risperidone, and biperidene. The clinical signs were drowsiness, ataxic gait, asterixis, and a generalized epileptic seizure. Discontinuation of valproic acid gradually resulted in complete remission of these symptoms.