Support Statement

Supported by an educational grant from Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

Learning Objective

After completing this educational activity, you should be able to:

• Recognize early signs of tardive dyskinesia (TD) through regular screening and patient/family education about symptoms 
• Address psychosocial concerns related to TD in patients with mood disorders and schizophrenia 
• Select FDA-approved medication to treat TD symptoms, considering research on longer-term efficacy and safety

Release, Review, and Expiration Dates

This brief report activity was published in January 2020 and is eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ through February 28, 2022. The latest review of this material was December 2019.

Statement of Need and Purpose

Because some clinicians underestimate the risk of TD, especially with newer antipsychotics, they do not advise patients and caregivers of the risk of TD or educate them about early signs to watch for and report. A substantial proportion of patients with TD do not have a timely diagnosis. Clinicians may not recognize early TD symptoms, as mild cases may be more easily missed. Due to TD movements, patients may stop taking their treatments for mood disorders or schizophrenia. Clinicians may inaccurately rate how bothersome side effects are to patients. New medications for TD are available, and evidence-based treatment recommendations have been published. Recent research has explored longer-term safety and efficacy with newer medications. Clinicians need up-to-date guidance on the prevalence of TD, risk factors for TD, recognition of early signs and symptoms of TD, and assessment tools that will help them diagnose and monitor TD. They also need education about discussing TD risk and signs with patients and family members and should be aware of the burden of TD for patients and families. Up-to-date, evidence-based, expert guidance should be provided on using new medications to treat TD in patients with mood disorders and schizophrenia, including longer-term use.

Disclosure of Off-Label Usage

The chair has determined that, to the best of his knowledge, benztropine is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.

Review Process

The faculty members agreed to provide a balanced and evidence-based presentation and discussed the topics and CME objectives during the planning sessions. The faculty’s submitted content was validated by CME Institute staff, and the activity was evaluated for accuracy, use of evidence, and fair balance by the Chair and a peer reviewer who is without conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment

This Academic Highlights section of The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry presents the highlights of the teleconference series “Early Recognition and Treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia in Patients With Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia,” which was held in April, May, and June 2019. This report was prepared and independently developed by the CME Institute of Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc., and was supported by an educational grant from Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. The teleconference was chaired by Joseph P. McEvoy, MD, from Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University. The faculty was Daniel E. Kremens, MD, JD, from Department of Neurology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.