Extrapyramidal syndrome: what is it?

the extrapyramidal syndrome (different from pyramidal syndrome) is characterized by three symptoms main:

Symptoms of extrapyramidal syndrome

• a akinesia : movements slow and sparse, frozen face with few blinking of the eyes;
• hypertonia (rigidity);
• a tremor at rest: especially at the extremities of the upper limbs, it disappears during sleep and voluntary movements.

The role of neuroleptics

Other symptoms of extrapyramidal syndrome are: postural abnormalities (back bent, head forward …) or walking, problems speaking, writing and depressive syndrome.

Drugs, such as neuroleptics, can cause extrapyramidal symptoms.

Extrapyramidal syndrome and parkinsonian syndrome

Extrapyramidal syndrome includes the parkinsonian syndrome (with the Parkinson disease and other syndromes) but also involuntary movements. It is linked to a dysfunction of the dopaminergic system.

In general, the extrapyramidal syndrome corresponds to an attack of the extrapyramidal system which includes: caudate nucleus, putamen, pallidum, thalamus, body of Luys, locus niger.