NEUROLEPTIC-INDUCED MEIGES-SYNDROME FOLLOWING AKATHISIA - PHARMACOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

A 52-year-old schizophrenic patient acutely showed blepharospasm and o romandibular dystonia following neuroleptic-induced akathisia. She had suffered from schizophrenia and been treated with neuroleptics for 15 years and had manifested tardive dyskinesia 5 years ago. Following a change in her neuroleptic medication, severe akathisia developed. Two days after the appearance oi akathisia, blepharospasm and oromandibula r dystonia appeared. Alter the disappearance of akathisia, the disorde r continued. The frequency of blepharospasm ranged from 30 to 40 (time s/min). The oral administration of trihexyhenidyl (6 mg/day), perphena zine (12 mg/day), and fluphenazine (12mg/day) significantly decreased the frequency of blepharospasm. whereas carbamazepine (600 mg/day) and sulpiride (1200 mg/day) did not. These results suggest that overactiv ity of both cholinergic and dopaminergic functions in the striatum may he involved in this patient. Our patient, who showed acute onset oi M eige's syndrome following neuroleptic-induced akathisia, is oi interes t to those studying the pathogenesis oi Meige's syndrome.