Extrapyramidal syndrome is characterized by which findings?

• A. Drowsiness, tachycardia
• B. Hyperglycemia and weight gain
• C. Stooped posture, mask-like faces, rigidity, tremors at rest
• D. Seizures

Answer: (C)

Extrapyramidal syndrome results from blocking dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway, which disrupts basal ganglia circuits that control movement. The findings described—stooped posture, mask-like facies, rigidity, and tremors at rest—are classic parkinsonian features produced by this dopaminergic blockade. This pattern mirrors Parkinson disease and reflects reduced dopamine activity in the circuits that regulate movement, leading to bradykinesia, rigidity, and a resting tremor. This is a hallmark of EPS from typical antipsychotics that strongly antagonize D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal system. The other options don’t fit because they reflect different adverse effects: drowsiness with tachycardia is nonspecific; hyperglycemia and weight gain point to metabolic effects; seizures are not characteristic of EPS.