Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder
Leo Hermle, Melanie Simon, Martin Ruchsow, Martin Geppert
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology October 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1177/2045125312451270
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA woman who abused LSD for a year at age 18 developed hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD) with after images, peripheral movement perception, blurring, halos, and size distortions. Antidepressants and risperidone did not help, but lamotrigine almost completely resolved the visual disturbances. The authors suggest lamotrigine, an antiepileptic with neuroprotective and mood-stabilizing effects, may be a promising new treatment for HPPD.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A 33-year-old female patient with HPPD after LSD abuse |
| Intervention | Lamotrigine |
| Key finding | Lamotrigine almost completely resolved complex visual disturbances in a patient with HPPD after other treatments failed. |
Abstract
A 33-year-old female patient developed a hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD) after lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) abuse for a year at the age of 18. Specifically, she reported after images, perception of movement in her peripheral visual fields, blurring of small patterns, halo effects, and macro- and micropsia. Previous treatment with antidepressants and risperidone failed to ameliorate these symptoms. Upon commencing drug therapy with lamotrigine, these complex visual disturbances receded almost completely. Based on its hypothesized neuroprotective and mood-stabilizing effects, the antiepileptic lamotrigine may offer a promising new approach in the treatment of HPPD.