Neuroleptic-induced akathisia
Fleischhacker, W.W.; Miller, C.H.; Bergmann, K.J.
Der Nervenarzt 60(12): 719-723
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2804 PMID: 2575231 Document Number: 347282
Neuroleptic-induced akathisia (NIA) is a relatively common side effect of neuroleptics, in which patients complain of a subjective sense of restlessness usually referable to the legs and have characteristic motor movements. This paper will review: 1) history of spontaneously occurring syndromes of pathologic restlessness and NIA, 2) the clinical significance of NIA, 3) issues concerning the diagnosis and quantification of NIA, 4) treatments of NIA and 5) possible future directions for research in this area. Special attention will be paid to newer treatments for this syndrome, specifically beta-blockers.