Factors associated with the emergence or nonemergence of involuntary
movements (tardive dyskinesia) during long-term neuroleptic treatment were
investigated in an atypical, isolated population of 31 schizophrenic
inpatients with an unusually high prevalence of this syndrome. Patients
with involuntary movements could not be distinguished from those without
such movements by general characteristics or conventional indices of
neuroleptic or anticholinergic treatment. However, they were more likely to
show either marked cognitive dysfunction or muteness. These findings
support the proposal that, at least in schizophrenia, subtle organic
changes may contribute to vulnerability to the emergence of involuntary
movements.Abstract Teaser