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Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Drug-Induced Movement Disorder
Neuroleptic-Induced Acute Dystonia
Hyperthermia

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction to the use of almost any of a group of antipsychotic drugs or major tranquilizers (neuroleptics). These drugs are commonly prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and other neurological, mental, or emotional disorders. Several of the more commonly prescribed neuroleptics include thioridazine, haloperidol, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine and perphenazine.

The syndrome is characterized by high fever, stiffness of the muscles, altered mental status (paranoid behavior), and autonomic dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunction alludes to defective operations of the components of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system, leading to wide swings of blood pressure, excessive sweating and excessive secretion of saliva.

A genetic basis for the disorder is suspected but not proven. It does appear to be clear that a defect in the receptors to dopamine (dopamine D2 receptor antagonism) is an important contributor to the cause of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Resources

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS)
11 East State Street
PO Box 1069
Sherburne, NY 13460-1069
USA
Tel: 6076747901
Fax: 6076747910
Email: info@mhaus.org
Internet: http://www.mhaus.org

North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry of MHAUS
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Room #7446
3705 Fifth Ave at DeSoto St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2583
USA
Tel: 4126926390
Fax: 4126928658
Tel: 8882747899
Email: bwb+@pitt.edu
Internet: http://www.mhreg.org

National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street
Suite 1207
Philadelphia, PA 19107-6312
USA
Tel: 2127511810
Fax: 2156366312
Tel: 8005534539
Email: info@mhselfhelp.org
Internet: http://www.mhselfhelp.org

National Mental Health Association
2001 North Beauregard Street
12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
USA
Tel: 7036847722
Fax: 7036845968
Tel: 8009696642
TDD: 8004335959
Email: infoctr@nmha.org
Internet: http://www.nmha.org

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
ISA
Tel: 7035247600
Fax: 7035249094
Tel: 8009996264
TDD: 7035167227
Email: membership@nami.org
Internet: http://www.nami.org

NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd
Rm 8184, MSC 9663
Rockville, MD 20892-9663
Tel: (301)443-4513
Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

Medic Alert Foundation International
2323 Colorado Avenue
Turlock, CA 95382
USA
Tel: 2096692401
Fax: 2096692456
Tel: 8004325378
Email: Inquiries@medicalert.org
Internet: http://www.medicalert.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 5/1/2008
Copyright 1990, 1995, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: May 01, 2008

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