TARDIVE-DYSKINESIA, LIPID-PEROXIDATION, AND SUSTAINED AMELIORATION WITH VITAMIN-E TREATMENT

Plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, in 14 patients sufferi ng from tardive dyskinesia (TD). There was a highly significant positi ve correlation between plasma TBARS (both basal and iron stimulated) a nd severity of TD. Patients were then treated for 1 month with the fre e radical scavenger vitamin E (1200 i.u. daily). Following vitamin E t reatment, there was a clinically and statistically significant amelior ation of TD, and this improvement was maintained at follow-up 7-13 mon ths later. There was no consistent or significant change in plasma TBA RS levels related to treatment with vitamin E.