[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, syndrome malin]

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is an uncommon but serious complication of treatment with neurolepticus, made up of hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, disturbance of level of consciousness, autonomic instability and elevated serum creatine phosphokinase. Onset of NMS is often related to commencement of treatment, change of drug, or increase dose, but may occur in the absence of such an event. Physical stress has been suggested as a precipitating factor. NMS is thought to occur from central dopamine depletion in the hypothalamus and basal ganglia. In addition, it is thought that several neurotransmitters, serotonin, noradrenaline and GABA, are related in the mechanism of NMS.