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Biomedical subjects

P N Van Harten

Publications and source records attributed to P N Van Harten.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Acute dystonia].

Acute dystonia is a side effect of antipsychotic medication; it nearly always develops a few weeks after the start of a dopamine-blocking agent or substantial increase of the dosage. Acute dystonia is characterized as a syndrome of sustained muscle contractions, frequently causing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The risk of acute dystonia depends greatly on the presence of risk factors: early age, male sex, use of cocaine, a history of acute dystonia, and use of a highly potent antipsychotic agent in a normal dosage. The mechanism underlying acute dystonia is unknown: both increase and decrease of the striatal dopamine transmission have been put forward as possible causes. Acute dystonia may also be caused by dopamine-blocking agents that are used not as antipsychotic medication but, for instance, as anti-emetics. Anticholinergic agents are extremely efficacious in treatment as well as prevention of acute dystonia. Prophylaxis of acute dystonia is indicated for patients belonging to the risk groups.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Use of clozapine in tardive dystonia.

1. This open clinical trial (N = 7) measured the course of severe tardive dystonia in chronic psychiatric patients after discontinuation of neuroleptics and subsequent use of clozapine. 2. The dystonia was regularly assessed using the Fahn-Marsden Rating Scale. The eventual concomitant tardive dyskinesia was assessed using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. The mean follow up was 103 weeks. 3. The results for the tardive dystonia: four patients recovered totally, two improved considerably and one did not recover. 4. The results for the concomitant tardive dyskinesia: five of the seven patients had also dyskinesia, one patient had a total, two a partly remission, one had a very fluctuating course, and one patient worsened. Another patient developed dyskinesia. 5. It is suggested to consider clozapine for patients with tardive dystonia who have to continue antipsychotic treatment.

Adult↗