Tardive dyskinesia is thought to result from neostriatal dopaminergic
receptor supersensitivity induced by chronic treatment with neuroleptics.
The authors suggest that dopaminergic supersensitivity also occurs in the
mesolimbic region after chronic neuroleptic exposure, resulting in the
development of a supersensitivity psychosis. Neuroleptic-induced
supersensitivity psychosis is illustrated by data from 10 patients that
demonstrate the syndrome's clinical and pharmacologic characteristics. An
implication of neuroleptic-induced mesolimbic supersensitivity is that the
tenaency toward psychotic relapse in such patients is determined by more
than just the normal course of the illness.Abstract Teaser