Drug-induced repetitive sharp EEG discharges in multi-infarct dementia

Elderly patients are usually more susceptible to and more often show adverse drug reactions. Repetitive sharp EEG transients, reversible upon withdrawal of neuroleptic drugs, are reported in clinical multi-infarct dementia. The predisposing and eliciting mechanisms underlying the occurrence of this neurotoxic electroclinical syndrome are discussed. Our observations suggest a relation between repetitive sharp EEG discharges and dysfunction of adrenergic transmission.