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Neuroleptic-induced akathisia: a review

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatry Service, New York VAMC and Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, 408 First Avenue at East 24th Street, 10010, New York, NY, USA

    Lenard A. Adler, Burt Angrist, Stewart Reiter & John Rotrosen

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  1. Lenard A. Adler
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  2. Burt Angrist
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  3. Stewart Reiter
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  4. John Rotrosen
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Adler, L.A., Angrist, B., Reiter, S. et al. Neuroleptic-induced akathisia: a review. Psychopharmacology 97, 1–11 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00443404

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