SERUM IRON ABNORMALITIES IN NEUROLEPTIC-INDUCED AKATHISIA IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

Twenty-two schizophrenic patients (DSM-III-R criteria) with clinically significant akathisia were matched with 22 schizophrenic patients wit hout akathisia on the following variables: age, sex, diagnosis, durati on of illness, and current treatment. Both groups were assessed using a variety of clinical rating scales and several parameters of serum ir on status. The akathisic patients showed greater severity of clinical psychopathology, particularly positive symptoms, and an excess of extr apyramidal side-effects. We were unable to confirm any association bet ween low serum iron and neuroleptic-induced akathisia in our sample of community-based patients.