Which movement phenomenon can occur as a seizure related to antipsychotic effects?

Which movement phenomenon can occur as a seizure related to antipsychotic effects?

• A. Myoclonus
• B. Dystonia
• C. Akathisia
• D. Tardive dyskinesia

Answer: (A)

Antipsychotics can lower the brain’s seizure threshold, so seizures may occur in some patients taking these drugs. When a seizure happens, one possible motor manifestation is myoclonus—sudden, brief, shock-like jerks of muscles that can be focal or generalized. This rapid, involuntary movement pattern matches a seizure-related motor phenomenon, making myoclonus the best choice. The other movement disorders listed—dystonia (sustained muscle contractions causing abnormal postures), akathisia (inner restlessness), and tardive dyskinesia (late-onset abnormal movements)—are extrapyramidal side effects but are not seizure-related.

Antipsychotics can lower the brain’s seizure threshold, so seizures may occur in some patients taking these drugs. When a seizure happens, one possible motor manifestation is myoclonus—sudden, brief, shock-like jerks of muscles that can be focal or generalized. This rapid, involuntary movement pattern matches a seizure-related motor phenomenon, making myoclonus the best choice. The other movement disorders listed—dystonia (sustained muscle contractions causing abnormal postures), akathisia (inner restlessness), and tardive dyskinesia (late-onset abnormal movements)—are extrapyramidal side effects but are not seizure-related.