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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

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Published on: February 16, 2024
Increased hexosaminidase activity in antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal side effects: possible association with
Zeliha Tunca1, Halil Resmi, H Asuman Ozkara
1Dokuz Eylul University, Medical School, Izmir, Turkey. zeliha.tunca@deu.edu.tr
Abstract:
Dystonic movements and Parkinsonism are frequently seen in gangliosidoses and these conditions have been reported to modify dopaminergic plasticity. We investigated whether the activity of hexosaminidase, a type-two ganglioside (GM2) degrading enzyme, correlates with drug-induced extrapyramidal system (EPS) side effects in psychiatric patients. We compared hexosaminidase activity in the lymphocytes of 29 EPS-positive patients, 13 EPS-negative patients, and 30 healthy volunteers. The activities of A and B isoforms of hexosaminidase were higher in EPS-positive patients than EPS-negative patients and healthy controls. Multivariate analysis suggested an interaction with increased B isoform activity and EPS side effects in female bipolar disorder patients. Higher levels of hexosaminidase enzyme activity may explain the frequent occurrence of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal side effects in mood disorder patients.
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