No abstract available.
Psychomotor Agitation

The mirtazapine is a relatively new antidepressant that has noradrenergic and specific serotonin antagonist action(NaSSAs). This has been known as one of the most safest drugs because of its few side effects. Until now, there have been only one case report that mirtazapine causes a EPS side effect(restless leg syndrome). But the peculiar mechanism of this drug makes it impossible to explain the exact reasons why the mirtazapine could induce EPS symptoms. Authors obseved three cases of mirtazapine indeced akathisia. We could not explain the phenomenon the other way except akathisia. So here we presents the three case of mirtazapine induced akathisia and a few possible hypothesis of this phenomenon.
Leg ; Psychomotor Agitation* ; Serotonin

OBJECTIVES: In previous studies, the significant correlations between depression-anxiety symptoms and positive symptoms had been reported in schizophrenia. However, it is suggested that these correlations reflect the common influence of third variable, and akathisia-associated dysphoria may be the strong mediator of these relationships. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlations between depression-anxiety symptoms and the schizophrenic symptoms including direct measures of drug-induced akathisia. METHODS: The subjects were 57 patients with chronic schizophrenia. All patients were functioning cognitively at a level to understand and complete the several self-report inventories. Akathisia was rated using Barnes akathisia rating scale (BARS), and depression-anxiety symptoms were assessed by two self-report measures, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed using Manchester Scale. RESULTS: In the whole group of subjects, the scores on BDI and dysphoria composite index were significantly correlated with total positive symptom scores and all subscale scores of positive symptoms. In akathisia group, the scores on BDI and dysphoria composite index were still significantly correlated with total positive symptom scores and the subscale scores of delusion. In non-akathisia group, however, there were no significant correlations between self-report depression, anxiety symptoms and total positive symptom scores. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the akathisia is the important factor in correlations between dysphoric symptoms and positive symptoms. Therefore, the caution is necessary in the interpretation of previous studies which report the direct correlations between depression and positive symptoms. Future research is needed to investigate the associations in akathisia, depression, and the schizophrenic symptom complexes.
Akathisia, Drug-Induced ; Anxiety ; Delusions ; Depression ; Equipment and Supplies ; Humans ; Psychomotor Agitation* ; Schizophrenia

No abstract available.
Leg* ; Muscle Cramp* ; Psychomotor Agitation*

OBJECTIVE: Neuroleptic Induced Akathisia(NIA) often occurs in neuroleptic treated patients. Cyproheptadine, an antiserotonergic agent, was used to treat neuroleptic induced akathisia. METHOD: In an open trial 21 neuroleptic-treated patients with akathisia were administrated Cyproheptadine(16mg/day) over 4 days. Assessment of akathisia was evaluated using Barnes' rating scale(BAS) for neuroleptic induced akathisia. The degree of depression and psychosis were assessed by brief psychiatric rating scale(BFRS) and Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAM-D). RESULT: Most patients(20 of 21) with neuroleptic induced akathisia(NIA) showed improvement under the treatment of cyproheptadine. There was no aggravation of psychosis or depression during the treatment. Symptoms of akathisia aggravated when cyproheptadine was discontinued. CONCLUSION: Cyproheptadine may be useful in the treatment of neuroleptic induced akathisia(NIA).
Cyproheptadine* ; Depression ; Humans ; Psychomotor Agitation* ; Psychotic Disorders

Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is approved for psychiatric disorders such as major depressive episodes and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Beside inhibition of serotonin reuptake, fluvoxamine is also a potent agonist of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein sigma-1 receptors, which play a role in the pathophysiology of a number of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. This report presents beneficial effects of sigma-1 agonist fluvoxamine on hyperkinetic movement disorders such as tardive dyskinesia and tardive akathisia. Fluvoxamine might be a novel treatmet approach in the treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders.
Akathisia, Drug-Induced* ; Dyskinesias ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Fluvoxamine* ; Humans ; Hyperkinesis ; Movement Disorders* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Receptors, sigma ; Schizophrenia* ; Serotonin

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for the treatment of depression and other psychiatric disorders. In the few years, there have been several reports of adverse effects encountered during coadministration of fluoxetine with or without other psychotropic drugs. We experienced three cases of extrapyamidal symptoms were developed when administered fluoxetine alone and with neuroleptics. We conclude that there is a probable or possible causal relationship between fluoxetine and extrapyramidal side effects. The pathogenesis of such adverse reactions, which may be hetero-geneous, is unknown, but it has been suggested that they might be caused by serotonergically mediated inhibition of dopaminergic transmission. From reports in those cases, it appears that fluoxetine alone may be associated with extrapyramidal side reactions. Furthermore the potential for increased levels of concomitant psychotropic medicines and increased side effects, should be borne in mind.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Depression ; Fluoxetine* ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Serotonin

This study compared the effectiveness and tolerability of amisulpride and risperidone in patients with psychosis associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). This 8-week open label study randomized 72 patients with DAT associated psychosis either to amisulpride (n=36) and risperidone (n=36). The effectiveness of the treatments was assessed with the Korean version of Neuropsychiatry Inventory (K-NPI) psychosis subscale and total K-NPI and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scale. The Simpson-Angus Rating Scale, the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale were used for the assessment of side effects. The K-NPI psychosis subscale, total K-NPI and CGI-S scores were significantly decreased over time in both treatment groups without any significant group difference and time by the group interaction effect. There were no serious adverse events in both groups. This study showed that either amisulpride or risperidone would be effective and tolerable for treating psychotic symptom associated with DAT. Adequately powered studies with a head-to-head comparison design will be mandatory to draw any definite conclusion.
Dementia* ; Dyskinesias ; Humans ; Neuropsychiatry ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Psychotic Disorders* ; Risperidone*

This study was carried out to develop a Korean language version of Zung's self-rating depression scale (SDS). The subjects consisted of 173 males and 161 females drawn from various groups of the general population by a cluster of sampling methods. In order to analyze the data on depression scores, Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient method was carried .out, as well as reliability and factor analysis, by the SPSS/PC+ program. The results obtained were as follows: The mean average of the total depression scores were 40.60. 8.66 for the subjects. Thirty-seven subjects (11.1%) showed high depression scores of 50 or over. Test-retest reliability(coefficient r=0.82, p <0.001), internal consistency(coefficient r=0.84, p <0.001) were satisfactory. Factor analysis using oblique technique rotation yielded five factors. The items of confusion, indecisiveness, decreased libido, diurnal variation, and psychomotor retardation were scored higher by the subjects. The items of suicidal rumination, psychomotor agitation, constipation, irritability, and weight loss were scored lower.
Constipation ; Depression* ; Female ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the overall effectiveness and tolerability of adjunctive quetiapine in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder as a continuation therapy. METHODS: Twenty-three bipolar I patients participated and required to have quetiapine add-on treatment in combination with existing or new mood stabilizers. Clinical assessment was carried out using Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 item, Simpson-Angus Rating Scale and Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale at baseline, 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: The YMRS and CGI decreased significantly from baseline to endpoint by 89.7% and 78.3%, respectively (p<0.0001 ; p<0.0001). Twenty-two patients exhibited at least 50% improvement on YMRS score by the end of the study. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that quetiapine may hold a promise as an adjunct in the long-term treatment of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Depression ; Humans ; Prospective Studies* ; Psychomotor Agitation ; Quetiapine Fumarate