TRC: Pseudoparkinsonism

PseudoParkinsonism

Pseudoparkinsonism

Pseudoparkinsonism is another extrapyramidal side effect which is thought to be due to post-synaptic dopamine receptor blockade and the resulting imbalance with the cholinergic system. In contrast with acute dystonias, the pathophysiology may be due to relative post-synaptic receptor densities of dopamine versus acetylcholine.

Patients with pseudoparkinsonism have symptoms of tremor, cogwheel rigidity, mask-like faces, and drooling. These symptoms can develop at any time, but usually appear within 4 weeks after starting therapy or increasing the dose of an antipsychotic. The risk of pseudoparkinsonism is increased with higher doses or potency of the antipsychotic agent.

A 25 year old patient with newly diagnosed schizophrenia has been suffering from an acute psychotic episode. He was started on haloperidol 3 weeks ago. His psychosis has slowly been improving, but now he seems to be suffering more from the negative symptoms of schizophrenia: he says he has been feeling “real slow”. However, it is noticed that he also has a bilateral hand tremor. This is a typical example of pseudoparkinsonism.

Extra info: Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate a patient’s complaints of slowness as arising from negative symptoms or pseudoparkinsonism. Although this may be a case of pseudoparkinsonism, the early onset and the young age of the patient make it something worth further investigation.

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PseudoParkinsonism

Pseudoparkinsonism

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