Tardive dyskinesia can be treated with which of the following?

Tardive dyskinesia can be treated with which of the following?

• A. VMAT2 inhibitors
• B. SSRIs
• C. Beta-blockers
• D. Benzodiazepines

Answer: (A)

Tardive dyskinesia arises when long-term blockade of dopamine D2 receptors leads to receptor supersensitivity and dysregulated dopamine signaling in motor circuits, producing involuntary movements. VMAT2 inhibitors directly address this by blocking the vesicular monoamine transporter 2, which loads dopamine into presynaptic vesicles. With VMAT2 inhibited, less dopamine is released into the synapse, dampening the excessive dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia and reducing the abnormal movements. This targeted mechanism makes VMAT2 inhibitors the most effective and appropriate option for treating TD. SSRIs affect serotonin rather than dopamine and aren’t used to treat TD. Beta-blockers and benzodiazepines may help with other symptoms or side effects but do not address the underlying dopaminergic dysregulation driving tardive dyskinesia.

Tardive dyskinesia arises when long-term blockade of dopamine D2 receptors leads to receptor supersensitivity and dysregulated dopamine signaling in motor circuits, producing involuntary movements. VMAT2 inhibitors directly address this by blocking the vesicular monoamine transporter 2, which loads dopamine into presynaptic vesicles. With VMAT2 inhibited, less dopamine is released into the synapse, dampening the excessive dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia and reducing the abnormal movements. This targeted mechanism makes VMAT2 inhibitors the most effective and appropriate option for treating TD.

SSRIs affect serotonin rather than dopamine and aren’t used to treat TD. Beta-blockers and benzodiazepines may help with other symptoms or side effects but do not address the underlying dopaminergic dysregulation driving tardive dyskinesia.