An elderly patient is given an antipsychotic for agitation and develops involuntary muscle activity. What is the most likely explanation?

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Multiple Choice

An elderly patient is given an antipsychotic for agitation and develops involuntary muscle activity. What is the most likely explanation?

Extrapyramidal symptoms come from blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway when an antipsychotic is given. This Dopamine blockade disrupts normal motor control, leading to involuntary muscle activity such as dystonia, tremor, rigidity, or restlessness—classic EPS. In elderly patients, the risk is higher, and these motor effects are known adverse effects of the medication rather than allergy or a toxic Systemic reaction. They’re not an agonistic response, since antipsychotics reduce dopaminergic activity rather than increasing it.

Extrapyramidal symptoms come from blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway when an antipsychotic is given. This Dopamine blockade disrupts normal motor control, leading to involuntary muscle activity such as dystonia, tremor, rigidity, or restlessness—classic EPS. In elderly patients, the risk is higher, and these motor effects are known adverse effects of the medication rather than allergy or a toxic Systemic reaction. They’re not an agonistic response, since antipsychotics reduce dopaminergic activity rather than increasing it.

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