Five patients with abnormal involuntary movements of tardive dyskinesia were treated with dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids (Hydergine) in doses of 3 to 4 milligrams a day for six weeks. Blind ratings of standard videotape recordings indicated significant differences between the patients. Worsening occurred in three patients during treatment and to a lesser extent after treatment; improvement during treatment appeared in one patient and more sustained improvement in one patient.
References
1.
BaldessariniR.J., TarsyD.: “The Tardive Dyskinesia Syndrome”, in Clinical Neuropharmacology, Vol. 1, 2: 2. KlawansH.L. (Ed). New York: Raven Press, 1976.
2.
CraneG.E.: The prevention of tardive dyskinesia.Am J Psychiatry, 134: 756–758, 1977.
3.
CraneG.E.: Prevention and management of tardive dyskinesia.Am J Psychiatry, 129: 466–467, 1972.
4.
GardosG., ColeJ.O., LaBrieR.: The assessment of tardive dyskinesia.Arch Gen Psychiatry, 34: 1206–1212, 1977.
5.
GomezE.: Clinical observations in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia with dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids (Hydergine). Preliminary findings.Psychiat J Univ of Ohio, 2: 67–71, 1977.
6.
National Institute of Mental Health, Psychopharmacological Research Branch: Development of Dyskinesic Movement Scale.ECDEU Intercom4:3–6, 1975.