[Nicotine in neuropsychiatric movement disorders]

Abstract

Nicotine has various effects in the CNS, especially in dopaminergic and cholinergic systems, relevant in pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric movement disorders. Nicotine acutely reduce the symptomatology in Parkinson's disease. In neuroleptic-induced Parkinsonism (NIP) acute nicotine application induces positive changes of symptomatology. Chronic application, however, leads to a greater likelihood of NIP. The results concerning tardive dyskinesia are not consistent, but nicotine tends to exercise a positive influence on basic mechanisms. In the Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome nicotine reduces the severity and frequency of the tics given in combination with haloperidol.