Which term describes symptoms such as pseudoparkinsonism and akathisia?

The symptoms of pseudoparkinsonism and akathisia are categorized under extrapyramidal symptoms. Extrapyramidal symptoms refer to a range of movement disorders that are often a result of antipsychotic medications or other drugs that affect dopamine pathways in the brain.

Pseudoparkinsonism presents symptoms akin to Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, all due to disruptions in dopamine signaling. Akathisia, characterized by a feeling of inner restlessness and the compelling need to be in constant motion, is also linked to the inhibition of dopamine receptor activity.

These symptoms are specifically termed 'extrapyramidal' because they arise from interventions that interfere with the basal ganglia function, which is involved in the coordination of movement and is outside the primary pyramidal motor pathways responsible for voluntary movement. Understanding that these symptoms come from medication-induced changes in neurotransmitter levels is crucial in managing patients receiving antipsychotic therapies.