NEUROLEPTIC ASSOCIATED TARDIVE DYSKINESIAS IN YOUNG-PEOPLE WITH PSYCHOSES

Background. Apart from ageing, the factors associated with vulnerabili ty to the emergence of tardive dyskinesia are poorly defined. Method. Risk factors associated with the presence of a chronic choreic or dyst onic disorder were assessed in a cross-sectional comparison of anamnes tic and clinical data in a homogeneous group of 64 young psychotic pat ients (under 40 years of age) on chronic low to moderate doses of neur oleptics. Results. Dyskinetic subjects presented more indirect indicat ors of occult brain damage, such as a perinatal event or traumatic bra in injuries in infancy and early childhood; neurological examination s howed more anomalies in dyskinetic patients than in non-dyskinetics, w ith a higher prevalence of facial release reflexes. Conclusion. These data may support the hypothesis that occult acquired brain damage is i mportant in the genesis of this 'drug-induced' disorder.