Comorbidity of parkinsonism and schizophrenia in a patient treated with clozapine

Eur Psychiatry. 2003 Aug;18(5):258-9. doi: 10.1016/s0924-9338(03)00068-3.

Abstract

Clozapine is the least likely anti-psychotic to induce extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). We present a surprising case of a woman schizophrenic patient treated with clozapine suffering from EPS. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) revealed a low density of presynaptic dopamine transporters in our patient's brain. A comorbid diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in schizophrenia was confirmed in this way. This helped us to find a proper therapeutic strategy for our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / diagnosis
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / complications*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / psychology
  • Recurrence
  • Schizophrenia / complications*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Clozapine