Table 1.

Diagnostic criteria via Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5),5 Levenson,4 and Caroff and Mann.6

Source	Presentation features	Diagnostic criteria
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)5	Exposure to dopamine antagonist within 72 hours prior to symptom development Hyperthermia (>100.4°F or >38°C on at least two occasions) Generalized rigidity Creatine kinase elevation (at least four times upper limit of normal) Changes in mental status Autonomic instability (tachycardia, diaphoresis, blood pressure elevation or fluctuation, urinary incontinence, pallor)	Presence of these cardinal features are suggestive of diagnosis
	Major: Fever Rigidity Elevated creatine phosphokinase concentration Minor: Tachycardia Abnormal arterial pressure Tachypnea Altered consciousness Diaphoresis Leukocytosis	Presence of all three major, or two major and four minor features
Caroff, Mann 1936	Major: Treatment of neuroleptics within seven days of onset (2–4 weeks for depot) Hyperthermia Muscle rigidity Exclusion of other drug-induced, systemic, or neuropsychiatric illnesses Minor: Change in mental status Tachycardia, hypertension or hypotension, tachypnea or silorrhea Tremors Incontinence Creatine phosphokinase elevation or myoglobinuria, leukocytosis, metabolic acidosis	Presence of all four major items and five minor features