THE USE OF CLOZAPINE IN NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS

The advent of clozapine has marked a major advance in the treatment of schizophrenia because of its low incidence of extrapyramidal side eff ects and superior efficacy. Because of a relatively high incidence of agranulocytosis, approved indications for use are limited to treatment -refractory or neuroleptic-intolerant patients with schizophrenia. How ever, an emerging body of literature suggests that clozapine may be pr eferable to typical neuroleptics for treating psychosis in certain neu rologic disorders. In addition, clozapine may have a place in the trea tment of movement disorders that are caused by or are a result of the pharmacologic treatment of some neurologic illnesses. In general, cloz apine doses used in these settings are lower than that for treating ps ychosis in schizophrenia. This article reviews the experience with clo zapine in selected neurologic disorders.