Low serum iron in patients with neuroleptic-induced akathisia and dystonia under antipsychotic drug treatment.

The concentration of iron was determined in the serum of 35 patients; 10 with akathisia, 8 with dystonia and 17 without akathisia or dystonia. The patients exhibiting akathisia or dystonia had significantly lower serum concentration of iron than the patients without akathisia or dystonia. Neuroleptic-induced akathisia or dystonia may be facilitated by the low serum iron.