Which type of medication is typically used to treat Tardive Dyskinesia?

The correct answer involves the use of anticholinergics to treat Tardive Dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder often caused by long-term use of antipsychotic medications, particularly the typical antipsychotics that block dopamine receptors. Anticholinergic medications work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, which can help to balance neurotransmitter activity in the brain and effectively reduce the involuntary movements associated with tardive dyskinesia.

Anticholinergics can alleviate these symptoms by dampening neuronal excitability and can be especially useful in managing the movement disorders caused by dopamine blockade. This approach helps to re-establish a better equilibrium between dopaminergic and cholinergic activity in the central nervous system, thereby reducing the severity of movement symptoms.

In contrast, SSRIs are primarily used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, and beta-blockers are utilized for conditions like hypertension and certain types of anxiety but do not address the movement disorders seen in tardive dyskinesia. Antipsychotics, on the other hand, can exacerbate the condition rather than treat it, as they are the category of medications that often induce tardive dyskinesia when used long-term.