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Research Article| Volume 32, ISSUE 4, P334-343, August 15, 1992

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Sympathoadrenomedullary activity in the neuroleptic malignant syndrome

  • Ronald J. Gurrera
    Correspondence
    Address reprint requests to Dr. Ronald J. Gurrera, Brockton DVAMC, Psychiatry (116A), Building 60, 940 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA 02401.
    Affiliations
    Psychiatry Service, Department of Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Brockton, Massachusetts, USA

    Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
    Search for articles by this author
  • Jorge A. Romero
    Affiliations
    Neurology Service, Department of Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Brockton, Massachusetts, USA

    Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
    Search for articles by this author
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(92)90037-Z
Sympathoadrenomedullary activity in the neuroleptic malignant syndrome
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      Abstract

      Many clinical features of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome suggest that sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity is involved in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Only a few studies have examined levels of catecholamines or their metabolites in patients with NMS; results so far have been inconclusive. In the present study urinary catecholamine metabolites obtained during the course of NMS were studied with respect to frequently reported signs and symptoms of NMS. The principal findings are that (1) elevated urinary catecholamines and metabolites are a frequent but inconstant feature of NMS; (2) it is likely that sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity contributes to the picture of fulminant NMS; and (3) the role of the adrenal medulla in producing excess catecholamines during NMS is uncertain.
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      Article info

      Publication history

      Received in revised form: February 21, 1992
      Received: April 9, 1991

      Footnotes

      ☆This work was supported by DVA Medical Research funds. It was undertaken and completed at the Brockton DVA Medical Center, Brockton, Massachusetts.

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3223(92)90037-Z

      Copyright

      © 1992 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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