A case of Kleine-Levin syndrome successfully treated with Escitalopram

Abstract

Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is an extremely rare relapsing-remitting neuropsychiatric condition characterized by recurrent incidents of major hypersomnolence along with hyperphagia, hypersexual behavior, and mood or cognitive disturbances alternating with asymptomatic periods. Here, we present a case of a young male chiefly presenting with recurring episodes of acute onset behavioral changes. The patient’s episodes were characterized by repetitive incidents of prolonged sleep for more than 20 h, followed by social withdrawal and apathy. He was diagnosed with KLS because of the periodic patterns of hypersomnolence accompanied by other cognitive and mood disturbances and lacked characteristics of central hypersomnolence disorders or atypical depression. There are varying success rates among medications such as lithium, stimulants such as modafinil, antiepileptics such as carbamazepine and valproate. Similarly, the use of antidepressants such as tricyclic agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has largely been negative. Our case report addresses a patient with KLS who was successfully treated with 20 mg of Escitalopram.