Bromocriptine and buccolinguofacial dyskineasias in patients with senile dementia. A quantitative study

Eight women with senile dementia and buccolinguofacial dyskinesias (BLFD) were given bromcriptine mesylate )from 2.5 to 20.0 mg daily). The frequency of their abnormal movements was quantiated by a method consisting of repeated counts (220 measurements per patient). In six patients, the mean frequency of BLFD was lower during bromocriptine mesylate therapy )even at daily doses of 10 mg or less) as compared with placebo; this result was statistically significant in four of the six. The second day after cessation of bromocriptine therapy, there seemed to be a rebound effect in six patients. These phenomena are discussed in light of the possible existence of presynaptic "autoreceptors" that would explain the paradoxical effects produced by a number of dopamine agonists.