The authors used the Simpson-Angus Neurological Rating Scale and the
Simpson Abbreviated Dyskinesia Rating Scale to evaluate 132 psychiatric
inpatients for the presence of parkinsonism-like symptoms and tardive
dyskinesia, respectively. Ninety-four percent of these patients had been on
a stable drug regimen for a minimum of 2 weeks before assessment; 91% were
being treated with neuroleptics, 42% with antiparkinson agents, and 7% with
tricyclic antidepressants. Tardive dyskinesia and parkinsonism-like
symptoms coexisted in 17.4% of the 132 patients. Such coexistence poses a
therapeutic dilemma for the clinician because drug treatment of improve one
neurological condition may exacerbate the other.Abstract Teaser