NMS 的病理生理学尚未确立,但是强烈怀疑与中枢神经系统神经递质的急性失衡或失调有关。
抗精神病药物普遍存在的多巴胺阻断作用显然牵涉多巴胺系统,并且一般认为急性中枢介导的多巴胺能过低会导致肌强直、下丘脑体温调节受损和自主神经功能障碍。[16]Takubo H, Harada T, Hashimoto T, et al. A collaborative study on the malignant syndrome in Parkinson's disease and related disorders. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2003;9(suppl 1):S31-S41.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12735913?tool=bestpractice.com[21]Henderson VW, Wooten GF. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a pathogenetic role for dopamine receptor blockade? Neurology. 1981;31:132-137.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6110195?tool=bestpractice.com有限的间接证据(例如患者病例系列报告中的脑脊液高香草酸改变和脑神经影像学病例报告中的多巴胺减少)支持这一观点,[2]Buckley P, Adityanjee M, Sajatovic M. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. In: Katirji B, Kaminski HJ, Preston DC, et al, eds. Neuromuscular disorders in clinical practice. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2002:1264-1275.[4]Lazarus A, Mann SC, Caroff SN. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome and related conditions. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 1989.但是这些发现没有很好的重现性。在疾病最严重期间或其发生之前不久,经常会突然出现血铁过少,[25]Rosebush PI, Mazurek MF. Serum iron and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Lancet. 1991;338:149-151.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1677067?tool=bestpractice.com但是其意义尚不明确。[26]Rosebush PI, Anglin RE, Richards C, et al. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and the acute phase response. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2008;28:459-461.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18626278?tool=bestpractice.com外周血中儿茶酚胺(尤其是去甲肾上腺素)升高似乎也与 NMS 的病理生理学有关,[27]Gurrera RJ. Sympathoadrenal hyperactivity and the etiology of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Am J Psychiatry. 1999;156:169-180.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9989551?tool=bestpractice.com但是交感神经系统活性增加是起主要还是次要作用尚不确定。
关于其他神经递质参与的证据较为不足,但是存在关于暴露于抗抑郁药发生 NMS(以及 5-羟色胺综合征)的报道。锂剂的参与也表明,5-羟色胺失衡可能是一种诱发因素。[1]Strawn JR, Keck PE Jr, Caroff SN. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164:870-876.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17541044?tool=bestpractice.com[3]Caroff SN, Mann SC. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Med Clin North Am. 1993;77:185-202.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8093494?tool=bestpractice.com[9]Stevens DL. Association between selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, second-generation antipsychotics, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Ann Pharmacother. 2008;42;1290-1297.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18628446?tool=bestpractice.com