Chronic Neuroleptic Therapy and Progressive Parkinsonism: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report presents the challenging clinical scenario of a middle-aged male patient with a decade-long history of psychiatric illness on chronic neuroleptic therapy. The patient's symptoms initially manifested as tremors a year ago, subsequently progressing to resting tremors, head titubation, and impaired mobility. Typically, Drug-Induced Parkinsonism (DIP) occurs within three months of initiating neuroleptic treatment, this case presents a unique and prolonged timeline, raising questions about the underlying aetiology complexed with patients' imaging studies revealing age related atrophy. The bilateral and symmetrical motor signs observed align with DIP characteristics, although studies report asymmetrical signs, introducing diagnostic complexities. This case emphasizes the need for further research on understanding the effect of chronic neuroleptic use, age-related structural alterations, and the potential unmasking of underlying Parkinsonism for improving diagnostic accuracy and tailoring effective management strategies for patients with similar challenging presentations.

Keywords: Prolonged neuroleptic exposure; Parkinsonian symptoms; Drug-Induced Parkinsonism; Anti-psychotic therapy; Extrapyramidal symptoms; Age-related cerebral atrophy