Increased incidence and severity of neuroleptic-induced movement disorder in pinealectomized rats.
The effects of prior pinealectomy on neuroleptic-induced perioral movements were examined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatment with haloperidol resulted in significantly more severe movement disorder in pinealectomized rats than in unoperated control rats. Subsequent administration of melatonin (4 mg, i.p.) was associated with a nonsignificant reduction of the severity of movements in the pinealectomized rats within one hour. We conclude that pinealectomy facilitates the onset of neuroleptic-induced perioral movements, and suggest that impaired melatonin secretion may be implicated in the pathophysiology of tardive dyskinesia in humans.
Sandyk
R
R
New York State Psychiatric Institute, NY 10032.
Fisher
H
H
D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol; D008550:Melatonin