Does the form of akinetic mutism linked to mesodiencephalic injuries bridge the double dissociation of Parkinson's disease and catatonia?
Ayeesha K. Kamal a1andNicholas D. Schiff a1 a1 Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021
nds2001@med.cornell.eduayk9001@med.cornell.edu
Abstract
Northoff provides a compelling argument supporting a kind of “double dissociation” of Parkinson's disease and catatonia. We discuss a related form of akinetic mutism linked to mesodiencephalic injuries and suggest an alternative to the proposed “horizontal” versus “vertical” modulation distinction. Rather than a “directional” difference in patterned neuronal activity, we propose that both disorders reflect hypersynchrony within typically interdependent but segregated networks facilitated by a common thalamic gating mechanism.
