[Tardive dyskinesia: a review]

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a iatrogenic syndrome of involuntary movement that occur in association with chronic neuroleptic use. The diagnosis and ongoing assessment of TD severity is complicated by a host of methodological problems. Orofacial movements are most frequent, although other body areas, limbs, neck and trunk, may be involved. The prevalence for TD varies widely from study to study, the estimated average prevalence is a 20%. The pathophysiology of TD remains poorly understood despite the numerous theories have been proposed. One of the most consistently identified TD risk factors is age. This factor is independent of drug exposure although both are often confounded. Currently no consistency effective treatment has yet been found and the most important treatment consist of gradual neuroleptic drug-dose reduction and, where possible, complete withdrawal.