Work

Case Report: Successful management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures with intranasal esketamine

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), or functional seizures (FS), are episodes that resemble epileptic seizures but may be psychological in origin. Unlike epileptic seizures, which are linked to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, functional seizures may be associated with psychological and/or physical distress, and do not show the same electrical patterns on an electroencephalogram (EEG). Esketamine, a derivative of the anesthetic ketamine, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or actions. Methods/Results: This report discusses a patient with TRD and PNES, where the administration of esketamine effectively resolved both conditions. Discussion: It explores the potential therapeutic effects of esketamine on PNES, in addition to its antidepressant properties.

Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1527166

Authors: Muneeb Hashmi, Padmasini Mugunthan, Priyal Jain, Tharun Nimmakayala, Sarah Alnaher

Institutions: Texas A&M University, Grant Medical College and Sir Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy Group of Hospitals, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Gulf Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801