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
1 North Main St
PO Box 1069
Sherburne, NY 13460
USA
Tel: (607)674-7901
Fax: (607)674-7910
Email: info@mhaus.org
Internet: http://www.mhaus.org
North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry
Penn State University
Dept. of Anesthesiology
P.O. Box 850
Hershey, PA 17033-0850
USA
Tel: (412)692-6390
Fax: (412)692-8658
Tel: (888)274-7899
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: (215)751-1810
Fax: (215)636-6312
Tel: (800)553-4539
Email: info@mhselfhelp.org
Internet: http://www.mhselfhelp.org
Mental Health America
2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314-2971
USA
Tel: (703)684-7722
Fax: (703)684-5968
Tel: (800)969-6642
TDD: (800)433-5959
Email: infoctr@mentalhealthamerica.net
Internet: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
National Alliance on Mental Illness
3803 N. Fairfax Drive
Suite 100
Arlington, VA 22203-
Tel: (703)524-7600
Fax: (703)524-9094
Tel: (800)999-6264
TDD: (703)516-7227
Email: membership@nami.org
Internet: http://www.nami.org
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
Health Science Writing, Press and Dissemination Branch
6001 Executive Boulevard
Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Tel: (301)443-4513
Fax: (301)443-4279
Tel: (866)615-6464
TDD: (301)443-8431
Email: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
MedicAlert Foundation International
2323 Colorado Avenue
Turlock, CA 95382
USA
Tel: (209)669-2401
Fax: (209)669-2456
Tel: (888)633-4298
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 (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be downloaded free from the NORD website for registered users. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational therapies (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".
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.