Blepharospasm and apraxia of eyelid opening in lithium intoxication

We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with a history of a bipolar mood disorder chronically treated with lithium. Upon having the dose increased, she developed an acute confusional state accompanied by blepharospasm (BS) and apraxia of eyelid opening. Gait instability with frequent fails, pyram id tract signs, and postural tremor in both hands were also evident. On wit hdrawing lithium, symptoms remitted within 2 weeks. This patient illustrate s that BS and apraxia of eyelid opening may be triggered by lithium overdos e. Our case warrants the inclusion of lithium in the list of drugs liable t o induce such movement disorders.