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Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis

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Extrapyramidal syndromes caused by antipsychotics.

Milana Poznić Jesić¹, Aleksandar Jesić, Jasmina Babović Filipović

¹Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Psychiatry Clinic, University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia. milanapoznic.jesic@yahoo.com

Medicinski Pregled

|January 10, 2013

Summary

Antipsychotic medications can cause serious extrapyramidal syndromes, including dystonia, akathisia, Parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia. Research focuses on minimizing and treating these adverse effects.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Clinical Medicine

Background:

Extrapyramidal syndromes are severe side effects of antipsychotic therapy.
These syndromes include dystonia, akathisia, Parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia.
Their occurrence, severity, and complications necessitate careful management.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal disorders.
To review the literature on these significant adverse effects.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal syndromes.
Analysis of epidemiological data, etiological factors, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

Dystonia affects 2-3% of patients, with higher rates for conventional antipsychotics.
Akathisia incidence ranges from 5-50%, characterized by psychomotor restlessness.
Drug-induced Parkinsonism is common, typically resolving after drug discontinuation.
Tardive dyskinesia involves involuntary movements, with onset varying from days to months.

Conclusions:

Numerous studies compare antipsychotic types to reduce extrapyramidal side effect risk.
Efforts are ongoing to prevent, manage, and improve treatment of these adverse effects.