Amantadine for neurobehavioural deficits following delayed post-hypoxic encephalopathy

Delayed post-hypoxic encephalopathy is an uncommon but potentially debilitating consequence of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. This condition is characterized by delayed neurological deterioration days-to-weeks after an initial partial or complete recovery from hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. The course of recovery from this condition is highly variable, ranging from rapid and fatal progression over several weeks to delayed but occasionally complete recovery. There are no reports describing neuro-rehabilitative, including neuropharmacologic, interventions for persons with persistent neurological and/or neurobehavioural deficits following delayed post-hypoxic encephalopathy. This study describes the case of a 24-year old male who developed delayed post-hypoxic encephalopathy following an unintentional methadone and diazepam overdose and who demonstrated cognitive and neurobehavioural improvements during treatment with amantadine HCl hydrochloride in a single-case, open-label design. A brief review of the literature regarding this condition, its treatment and suggestions for further study are presented.