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neuroleptic malignant syndrome

a rare complication of therapy with conventional (typical or first-generation) antipsychotics, characterized by fever, inability to regulate blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, and changes in consciousness (including coma); mortality rates approaching 25% have been observed. It occurs primarily at the start of treatment or with a sudden increase in dose. The incidence of the syndrome, which was never high, has declined further with the abandonment of megadose pharmacotherapy with conventional antipsychotics and the advent of second-generation atypical antipsychotics.

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Psychology term of the day

January 31st 2025

polysomnography

polysomnography

n. the recording of various physiological processes (e.g., eye movements, brain waves, heart rate, respiration) throughout the night for the diagnosis of sleep-related disorders. —polysomnograph n.