Medication-induced dystonias in nine patients with dementia

Evidence from previous studies of neuroleptic side effects suggests that acute dystonic reactions are rare in elderly patients. The authors report 9 cases of dystonic reactions in patients with dementia following the initiation of antipsychotic medication. The cases are important in documenting that drug-induced dystonias do occur in patients with dementia, that risperidone appears to have contributed to dystonia among elderly patients, and that the categorization of dystonic reactions needs further clarification.