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Copyright 1990, 1995, 2004
Synonyms of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- Drug-Induced Movement Disorder
- Hyperthermia
- Neuroleptic-Induced Acute Dystonia
Disorder Subdivisions
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.
Organizations related to Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS)
11 East State Street
PO Box 1069
Sherburne NY 13460-1069
Phone #: 607-674-7901
800 #: --
e-mail: info@mhaus.org
Home page: http://www.mhaus.org
- MedicAlert Foundation International
2323 Colorado Avenue
Turlock CA 95382
Phone #: 209-669-2401
800 #: 888-633-4298
e-mail: Inquiries@medicalert.org
Home page: http://www.medicalert.org
- NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Blvd
Rm 8184, MSC 9663
Rockville MD 20892-9663
Phone #: 301-443-4513
800 #: --
e-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov
Home page: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Colonial Place Three
2107 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 300
Arlington VA 22201-3042
Phone #: 703-524-7600
800 #: 800-999-6264
e-mail: membership@nami.org
Home page: http://www.nami.org
- National Mental Health Association
2000 North Beauregard Street
6th Floor
Alexandria VA 22311
Phone #: 703-684-7722
800 #: 800-969-6642
e-mail: infoctr@nmha.org
Home page: http://www.nmha.org
- National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street
Suite 1207
Philadelphia PA 19107-6312
Phone #: 215-751-1810
800 #: 800-553-4539
e-mail: info@mhselfhelp.org
Home page: http://www.mhselfhelp.org
- North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry of MHAUS
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Room #7446
3705 Fifth Ave at DeSoto St
Pittsburgh PA 15213-2583
Phone #: 412-692-6390
800 #: 888-274-7899
e-mail: bwb+@pitt.edu
Home page: http://www.mhreg.org
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