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Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is an extremely rare, but highly dangerous and potentially fatal, adverse reaction to treatment with neuroleptic drugs. It is characteristically associated with typical antipsychotic drugs such as olanzapine, risperidone, and aripiprazole, but also occurs with newer atypical antipsychotics. Usually, it occurs within 2 weeks of initiation of a drug or a change in drug dose. NMS is more common in men than women, in persons with pre-existing medical and neurologic disorders, mental retardation, agitation, and iron deficiency. Symptoms often include fever, rigidity, labile mood, increased heart rate, and changes in consciousness or mental state. NMS is of import to neuropsychologists secondary to the high rate of prescriptions dispensed to treat schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Further, while most people who experience NMS recover in a relatively short period of time (e.g., 2–3 weeks)...
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References and Readings
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Kolakowsky-Hayner, S.A. (2011). Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1774
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