Four schizophrenic patients are reported in whom the acute development of dystonic muscle spasms, usually involving gaze deviation, was accompanied by the exacerbation or appearance of psychotic symptoms. In all cases the relationship between the neurological and psychiatric phenomena was close, and sometimes the presentation was bizarre or dramatic. The similarity of these states to the complex neuropsychiatric disturbances seen in post-encephalitic Parkinsonism is emphasised.

We describe a patient with marked elevations of creatine kinase following institution of clozapine treatment. The enzyme levels promptly subsided with discontinuation of clozapine. The clinical features did not meet any of the published criteria for neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Vigilance is required in order to detect the cardinal signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), especially after prolonged exposure to neuroleptics. In this case, NMS was diagnosed in a 29-year-old man, who had been on fluphenazine decanoate for over one year, coinciding with a cessation of his neuroleptic medication. Vigorous treatment, including assisted ventilation, was necessary, extending over three months. On recovery, his mental state and social functioning had undergone a sustained improvement sufficient for his release from hospital.