Loss of dopamine neuron terminals in antipsychotic-treated schizophrenia; relation to tardive dyskinesia

► Imaging of dopamine transporters measures the density of dopamine neuron terminals ► Normal loss of dopamine terminals in healthy individuals is about 5% per decade. ► Dopamine neuron loss is 15% per decade in antipsychotic-treated schizophrenia ► Antipsychotic accumulation in nigral neuromelanin causes loss of dopamine terminals ► Dopamine neuron loss may lead to tardive dyskinesia