Tardive dyskinesia in the mentally retarded: comparison of prevalence, risk factors and topography with a schizophrenic population.

Thirty mentally retarded patients treated with neuroleptics for aberrant behavior were compared with 30 neuroleptic-treated schizophrenics for the presence, topography and risk factors associated with tardive dyskinesia (TD). In the total sample (n = 60), female sex, schizophrenic diagnosis and increasing age were associated with TD. The length of neuroleptic treatment and current neuroleptic dose were not significantly associated with TD. The only topographical difference in TD presentation was that the mentally retarded group had significantly more tongue involvement.     

Oxypertine in tardive dyskinesia: a long-term controlled study

A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of oxypertine in tardive dyskinesia is described. Results suggest that any beneficial effect noticed initially is not sustained. When this effect is compared with the time course of development of supersensitivity after neuroleptics as reported in the literature, it becomes apparent that the drug, despite its different mechanism of action, behaves like any other conventional neuroleptic. On the basis of the findings, the authors feel that all proposed anti-dyskinetic drugs should be subjected to longer, controlled trials to prove their clinical efficacy.     

Ciliary activity and pollution

The mucociliary clearance is an important part of the nonspecific defense mechanism of the human airways. Coordinated beats of cilia in the nose, trachea, and bronchi propel the mucous layer toward the pharynx, and with it inhaled microorganisms and other particles captured in the mucus. Normal function of this system depends on the efficacy of the ciliary beating and the properties of mucus. Primary ciliary dyskinesia—a congenital respiratory disease characterized by ultrastructural defects and motility disturbances of cilia—has provided us with valuable information about the role the mucociliary function plays in the protection against harmful agents in the inhaled air. Secondary ciliary dyskinesia is described in inflammatory disorders of the respiratory tract, but also some components in air pollution results in malfunction of cilia, damage of ciliated epithelium, or alteration in the mucus. This review will focus on investigations found in the literature concerning the influence of pollutants on ciliary activity. The methods applied will be evaluated.     

5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT,serotonin) and Parkinson's disease – opportunities for novel therapeutics to reduce the problems of levodopa therapy

While Parkinson's disease is undoubtedly a disorder with a primary pathology of dopamine neuronal loss, that loss of dopamine and subsequent dopamine replacement therapy leads to imbalances in many non‐dopaminergic transmitter systems, including 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT). Recent advances in understanding the role of 5‐HT in parkinsonism and the generation of side‐effects of dopamine replacement therapy (e.g. wearing‐off and levodopa‐induced dyskinesia) have identified 5‐HT_1A, 5‐HT_1B and 5‐HT_2C receptors as potential therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease.     

An Overview of Curcumin in Neurological Disorders

Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid found in spice turmeric, has recently been studied for its active role in the treatment of various central nervous system disorders. Curcumin demonstrates neuroprotective action in Alzheimer''s disease, tardive dyskinesia, major depression, epilepsy, and other related neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. The mechanism of its neuroprotective action is not completely understood. However, it has been hypothesized to act majorly through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Also, it is a potent inhibitor of reactive astrocyte expression and thus prevents cell death. Curcumin also modulates various neurotransmitter levels in the brain. The present review attempts to discuss some of the potential protective role of curcumin in animal models of major depression, tardive dyskinesia and diabetic neuropathy. These studies call for well planned clinical studies on curcumin for its potential use in neurological disorders.     

Neuroacanthocytosis masquerading as Huntington's disease: CT/MRI findings.

Neuroacanthocytosis (NA) is a rare, degenerative, presumably autosomal-recessive disorder of the nervous system presenting in adulthood and is associated with acanthocytosis of the peripheral blood. The clinical spectrum of NA shares similarities with Huntington's disease (HD), including dyskinetic choreiform movements and degeneration of the caudate nucleus. A woman presented with choreiform movements and was given a presumed diagnosis of HD. Neuroimaging studies were consistent with HD. She lacked the genetic marker for HD, and further evaluation revealed acanthocytosis of the peripheral blood. The case illustrates the similarities and differences in the clinical presentations and neuroimaging studies of these two disease entities, emphasizing the need for a careful clinical evaluation.     

Clinical Variants of Tardive Dyskinesia in Japan

Abstract: Involuntary movement disorders were investigated in a psychiatric hospital in Japan. The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia was 9.9 % and four clinical variants of tardive dyskinesia could be classified. Of the 716 patients, tardive dystonia was identified in 15 cases, tardive akathisia in one, respiratory dyskinesia in two and rabbit syndrome in 17. The existence of tardive forms for acute dystonic reactions and akathisia suggests that any type of acute extrapyramidal symptoms can have a tardive form.     

Three Cases of Respiratory Dyskinesia

Abstract: We present here three cases of respiratory dyskinesia (RD). RD was observed with a video recording and other recordings were made of a respiratory airflow with a thermistor, and abdominal movement with a strain gauge. Neurological findings end CT scanning indicated marked organic changes in the brain in these 3 cases. RD was complicated with tardive dyskinesia of the tongue and lips, and the symptoms were aggravated during stress and absent during sleeping, which are the characteristic features of extrapyramidal symptoms. The symptoms of the three cases have improved by decreasing the dose of butyrophenone derivatives and discontinuing anti-parkinsonian drugs, which suggested that an intracerebral imbalance of DA and ACh may be the cause of RD.