Extrapyramidal symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal.

Four cases of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) following alcohol withdrawal are described. Patients were not receiving antipsychotic medication and did not have parkinsonism. Symptoms may be due to the reduction of dopamine in basal ganglia while withdrawing from alcohol. The author recommends a diagnostic-therapeutic trial with an antiparkinsonian agent for patients with alcohol-associated EPS. If patient's EPS improves within 30 min, treatment with an antiparkinsonian agent may be indicated for the detoxified alcoholic patient who displays EPS. Further research on certain syndromes associated with alcoholism, such as EPS, alcoholic hallucinosis, endocrine and sexual dysfunction, as well as nausea and vomiting, may contribute to our knowledge of CNS dopaminergic function.