A comparative study of neuroleptic induced neurological side effects in schizophrenia and mood disorders.

Neuroleptic induced neurological side effects were compared over a period of one year (1991-1992) in 45 schizophrenics and age and sex matched 42 mood disorder patients, diagnosed as per DSM-III-R criteria. Prevalence of dystonia was equally common in both groups. Pseudoparkinsonism was significantly high in female mood disorder patients, akathisia in middle aged mood disorder patients and tradive dyskinesia in mood disorder patients. Factors like age of onset, time of onset and mean dose of antipsychotics (chlorpromazine equivalent) did not show any significant difference. The findings are discussed in relation to their practical application and suggestions for future studies are outlined.