[Neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesias in France]

In France chlorpromazine was used as soon as 1952, and TD were described very early (Ey et al., 1956; Sigwald et al., 1959). Nevertheless there is very little interest in this complication of neuroleptic treatment. The mild oral syndrome is neglected and severe TD considered as very rare, due to lower dosage of neuroleptics in France. We summarize several inquiries: Maurel et al. (1966; prevalence = 49%), Bourgeois (1976-1977; 8.1%), Bourgeois et al. in a sample of 270 elderly (prevalence = 42.4% with neuroleptics; 18% in patients who never received neuroleptics), Delance (1985 = 16%), Fanget et al. (1986; 3.8%).