title: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and the opioid system.
abstract: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal condition occurring usually in patients on long-term neuroleptic medication. The pathogenesis of the syndrome is poorly understood, but appears to be related to central dopaminergic dysfunction. Recently, an opioid-dopamine link has been demonstrated. This paper discusses evidence supporting an opioid dysfunction in the pathogenesis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
mesh_terms: D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000502:physiology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D004298:Dopamine