First-Onset Psychosis After COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been an inciting factor for a wide variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including first-episode psychosis (FEP). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current literature on COVID-19 associated postviral FEP. METHODS: A systematic review was completed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and identified 81 articles that met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Articles included case reports, case series, and cohort studies with postviral FEP occurring outside the setting of delirium, demonstrating a broad range of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review shows that postviral FEP associated with COVID-19 follows a pattern similar to psychosis associated with other viral infections and is an important consideration when building a differential for FEP when delirium has been ruled out. Better understanding of postviral FEP associated with COVID-19 and other viral illnesses may help clarify aspects of underlying pathophysiology of psychotic symptoms broadly.

Electroconvulsive therapy in a patient with multiple sclerosis and recurrent catatonia.

Catatonia is a rare complication of multiple sclerosis (MS). We present a case of a 28-year-old inpatient with MS successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) after developing a catatonic syndrome. A subsequent relapse also responded to ECT, after which the patient received maintenance ECT for 13 months without complications. Follow-up 18 months later did not reveal any evidence of neurological deterioration. We conclude that ECT was a safe and effective treatment in this MS patient.