Hypothalamic pathology in the neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
The pathogenesis of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome is currently unclear, and no specific morphological abnormalities in the CNS of victims of neuroleptic malignant syndrome have been described. The authors report a case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with recent foci of necrosis in the anterior and lateral hypothalamic nuclei. They discuss the role of tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and neuroleptics in the development of this syndrome. They conclude that although the pathogenesis of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome is still not clear, necrosis of the hypothalamic nuclei may be pathognomonic for this syndrome.
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000473:pathology*; D007032:Hypothalamus, Anterior / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D014697:Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000473:pathology
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors