Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry

Tardive dyskinesia is a syndrome of involuntary hyperkinetic abnormal movements that occurs during or shortly after the cessation of neurolepitc drug treatment. Typically, the movements are choreoatheoid. Other movements such as tics and systonia may be present. Nonetheless, any dyskinesia seen in a neuroleptic-treated patient is not always neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia. The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia varies widely, which reflects many methodological problems, such as differential diagnosis, symptom fluctuation, masking effect of neuroleptics, validated diagnostic criteria. Of suggested risk factors, only old age has been consistently found to be associated with an increased frequency of tardive dyskinesia. Many hypotheses about the pathophysiolgy of tardive kinesia are proposeed, but time-honored ones are not present. No consistently safe and effective treatments are found. Various treatment modalities signifies the general ineffectiveness of these agents for most patients. In general, reduction or cessation of neuroleptics, if possible, is recommanded. Remission or improvement of tardive dyskinesia after neuroleptics withdrawal usually occurs among most patients within three months.

Keywords Tardive dyskinesia;Neuroleptics;Antipsycliotics.