Akinetic mutism

Akinetic mutism was first described in 1941 as a mental state where patients lack the ability to move or speak.

[1] Patients lack most motor functions such as speech, facial expressions, and gestures, but demonstrate apparent alertness.

This state of akinetic mutism varies in intensity, but it is distinguished by drowsiness, lack of motivation, hyper-somnolence, and reduction in spontaneous verbal and motor actions.

Akinetic mutism is often the result of severe frontal lobe injury in which the pattern of inhibitory control is one of increasing passivity and gradually decreasing speech and motion.

[7] The anterior cingulate cortex is thought to supply a "global energizing factor" that stimulates decision making.

[3] Patients with depression can experience apathy, slurring of speech, and body movements similar to akinetic mutism.

Similarly to akinetic mutism, patients with locked-in syndrome experience paralysis and can only communicate with their eyes.

[citation needed] Treatments using intravenous magnesium sulfate have shown to reduce the symptoms of akinetic mutism.

[11] As seen in the case of Elsie Nicks, the puncture or removal of a cyst causing akinetic mutism can relieve symptoms almost immediately.

She began to enter a state of akinetic mutism, experiencing apathy and loss of speech and motor control.