Which statement about tardive dyskinesia and VMAT2 inhibitors is true?

Which statement about tardive dyskinesia and VMAT2 inhibitors is true?

• A. VMAT2 inhibitors are not used for tardive dyskinesia
• B. VMAT2 inhibitors decrease dopamine release and are used for tardive dyskinesia
• C. VMAT2 inhibitors increase dopamine release
• D. VMAT2 inhibitors cure tardive dyskinesia in all patients

Answer: (B)

VMAT2 inhibitors work by blocking vesicular monoamine transporter 2 in presynaptic neurons, which decreases the packaging of dopamine into synaptic vesicles and thus reduces dopamine release into the synapse. In tardive dyskinesia, long-term antipsychotic treatment can cause dopamine receptor changes, leading to abnormal, excessive dopaminergic signaling in the motor pathways. By lowering the amount of dopamine available to stimulate these receptors, VMAT2 inhibitors help lessen the involuntary movements characteristic of tardive dyskinesia. They are used for this condition, but they don’t cure it in all patients and they don’t increase dopamine release.

VMAT2 inhibitors work by blocking vesicular monoamine transporter 2 in presynaptic neurons, which decreases the packaging of dopamine into synaptic vesicles and thus reduces dopamine release into the synapse. In tardive dyskinesia, long-term antipsychotic treatment can cause dopamine receptor changes, leading to abnormal, excessive dopaminergic signaling in the motor pathways. By lowering the amount of dopamine available to stimulate these receptors, VMAT2 inhibitors help lessen the involuntary movements characteristic of tardive dyskinesia. They are used for this condition, but they don’t cure it in all patients and they don’t increase dopamine release.