Meclofenoxate therapy in tardive dyskinesia: a preliminary report

Tardive dyskinesia seems to occur as a result of diminished cholinergic and enhanced dopaminergic activity in the striatum. Meclofenoxate has been shown to increase cerebral cholinergic activity. To ameliorate the tardive dyskinesia, meclofenoxate was given orally, 600-1200 mg/day, for 6-12 weeks. The effects of the drug were evaluated by scoring the degree of involuntary movement. Among 11 subjects with tardive dyskinesia or dystonia, 4 improved markedly, 1 moderately, 2 slightly, and there was no improvement in 4. One patient with subacute oral dyskinesia, induced by administration of neuroleptics for 1 month, improved markedly. The possibility that meclofenoxate may be effective in dealing with dyskinesias that are induced by neuroleptics warrants further attention.