A History of Tardive Dyskinesia

In 1952, a drug called chlorpromazine was the firstTardive Dyskinesia Today
drug of its kind introduced to treat psychoticToday, different governmental research organizations
patients. After its introduction, many othersupport a wide variety of studies on movement
anti-psychotic drugs were added into the treatmentsdisorders like TD in order to increase understanding,
of patients suffering from psychotic disorders. Theseimprove treatment options, and find cures.
drugs are called neuroleptics and are majorResearchers have found that TD among patients
tranquilizers.who receive anti-psychotic medications can occur
However, four years later, researchers and medicalfrom 0.5% to 56% of the time. On average, 25% of
experts discovered the risks of neuroleptics. Theypatients who receive anti-psychotic treatment are
found that chlorpromazine and related drugs candiagnosed with TD.
movement disorders, causing patients to exhibitTD can sometimes be treated with other
repetitive, involuntary, uncontrollable movements. Atmedications, or might stop if the patient stops taking
first, health practitioners did not fully understand theneuroleptic drugs. However, in some cases, even
relationship between the involuntary movements andceasing treatment is not effective, and the disorder
the treatment, since sometimes these types ofcan become permanent over time. Patients
movements and mannerisms are already exhibited byprescribed neuroleptic-containing drugs should consider
persons with psychiatric disorders. However, overif the negative symptoms of their neurological
times, medical experts realized that drug-induceddisorder outweigh the risks of treatment options that
movement disorders have become a growingcan cause medical problems like TD.
problem in clinical psychiatry.Recent research efforts often focus on the
Neuroleptic-Related Disordersprevalence of TD among young children and
The condition associated with these involuntary,adolescents. Some researchers believe that children
repetitive motions is referred to as Tardivehave a much higher sensitivity to certain side effects
dyskinesia (TD). Features of TD might include:of neuroleptic drugs than do adults. In addition, some
- Rapid blinking of the eyesstudies look at the risks of TD in infants and
- Grimacingnewborn children whose mothers had been treated
- Sticking out the tonguefor psychiatric disorders. Especially when children are
- Smacking, puckering, or pursing lips.involved, early treatment and diagnoses of the
- Rapid movements in the arms, legs, and fingerscondition is essential.
Researchers believe that TD occurs because ofTo learn more about tardive dyskinesia and other
damage that neuroleptics can cause to dopamineneurological-related disorders, visit the website of
neurotransmitter systems.Reglan child injury attorneys of Williams Kherkher.