INSTRUMENTAL MOTOR PREDICTORS OF NEUROLEPTIC-INDUCED PARKINSONISM IN NEWLY MEDICATED SCHIZOPHRENIA-PATIENTS

Previous studies suggest that many untreated schizophrenia patients ex hibit motor disturbances. On the basis of these findings, the authors hypothesized that preexisting extrapyramidal movement disorders may in crease the risk of developing neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism (NIP). Thirty-five newly medicated psychotic patients underwent pretreatment clinical and instrumental motor and psychiatric assessments. Posttreat ment ratings of parkinsonism were conducted at monthly intervals for t he first 3 months and every 3 months thereafter. Thirteen patients (37 %) developed NIP. Advanced age and pretreatment extrapyramidal disturb ances predicted NIP. Life-table survival curves indicated that patient s with pretreatment instrumental rigidity developed clinically signifi cant NIP earlier that those without rigidity. These findings suggest t hat pretreatment motor dysfunction may be a risk factor for drug-induc ed parkinsonism, especially among older patients.