WebMD's NMS Info

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Synonyms:
· Drug-Induced Movement Disorder
· Neuroleptic-Induced Acute Dystonia
· Hyperthermia

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
Tel: 6076747901
Fax: 6076747910
Email: info@mhaus.org
Internet: http://www.mhaus.org

North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry of MHAUS
Children's Hospital of PittsburghRoom #74463705
Fifth Ave at DeSoto St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2583
Tel: 4126926390
Fax: 4126928658
Tel: 8882747899
Email: bwb+@pitt.eduI
Internet: http://www.mhreg.org

National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut StreetSuite 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 Street12th 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 Three2107 Wilson Blvd.Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042 USA
Tel: 7035247600
Fax: 7035249094
Tel: 8009996264
TDD: 7035167227
Email: membership@nami.org
Internet: http://www.nami.orgNIH/

National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive BlvdRm 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