Lateralization of neuroleptic-induced dyskinesia indicates pharmacologic asymmetry in the brain.
Since the two hemispheres of the human brain are asymmetrical for various cognitive and perceptual functions, a pharmacological as well as the known anatomical differentiation between the two hemispheres may underly the asymmetrical functions. A lateralization of the dyskinetic states consequent to long-term usage of large doses of neuroleptics would be indicative of a pharmacologic asymmetry in the brain hemispheres. Seven of eight right-handed psychiatric patients had greater right-than left-sided dyskinesias, a finding which pointed to pharmacological vulnerability in the left dominant hemisphere.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004298:Dopamine