New Data From IMPACT-TD Registry: Only 23% of Young Adults With Mood Disorders and Tardive Dyskinesia Symptoms Are Formally Diagnosed

CONFERENCE REPORTER

Teva Pharmaceuticals today shared new data from the ongoing, real-world IMPACT-TD Registry—the largest tardive dyskinesia (TD) study to date—which highlights a significant gap in diagnosing TD in patients with comorbid mood disorders. While the findings demonstrate that a majority of patients across all age groups experience multidimensional impact from TD, young adults (aged 18-29, n=13) had the lowest rate of formal diagnosis (23%) despite having one of the highest rates of personal impact (85%). Investigators presented these data at the 2026 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting, on May 16-20, 2026 in San Francisco, California.¹

“The latest data from the IMPACT-TD Registry underscores the profound, multidimensional impact of tardive dyskinesia on individuals, extending far beyond any single demographic. Despite its widespread impact, we are still confronted with meaningful diagnostic gaps, leaving many patients undiagnosed and untreated,” said Verena Ramirez Campos, MD-MBA, the vice president of US Medical Affairs and Global Innovative Strategy at Teva. “We are committed to grasping the complete human experience of TD, and working to help close those gaps and bring forth innovations that make a meaningful difference in the day-to-day lives of people living with TD.”

Study Details

The IMPACT-TD Registry is a 3-year, prospective, noninterventional, phase 4 study examining how TD progresses over time and the impact it has on patients’ lives. The study, which includes a broad representation of people affected by TD (age, sex, race/ethnicity, underlying conditions, movement severity and treatment status), evaluates 611 participants aged 18 years or older who, at enrollment, had either a score of 2 or higher on at least 1 item of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and probable TD, or were receiving vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor therapy for TD. The current analysis of the IMPACT-TD Registry evaluated 211 adults with TD who were not receiving VMAT2 inhibitor therapy at enrollment and had concomitant mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder (60%) or major depressive disorder (54%). Multidimensional impact of TD was measured using the clinician-reported IMPACT-TD scale, while TD severity was assessed by AIMS.

Investigators found that most participants, reported a moderate to severe global impact from TD, regardless of age. The burden was particularly high for those aged 18 to 29 (85%) and 50 to 59 (87%, n=57). This shows that TD significantly affects daily life throughout adulthood. Additionally, the psychological impact of TD was most pronounced in adults under age 60. Approximately 77% of those aged 18 to 29 experienced moderate to severe psychological effects despite lower AIMS scores (6.4) on average compared with older adults aged 60 to 69 (8.4, n=56) and older than 69 (9.9, n=28).

Despite the high impact, formal TD diagnosis rates were lowest among adults younger than 40 years old. The rate was 23% for participants aged 18 to 29 and 35% for participants aged 30 to 39 (n=20), as compared with 57% in adults aged 40 to 49 (n=37) and a 47% average in the 50+ age subgroups. Investigators noted a significant delay in diagnosis, with patients waiting an average of more than 3.5 years to be formally diagnosed after their involuntary movements were first recognized.

“Beyond the visible symptoms, tardive dyskinesia impacts every aspect of daily living, from personal independence to social interaction and emotional wellbeing,” said Richard Jackson, MD, an assistant clinical adjunct professor in the University of Michigan School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and the IMPACT-TD principal investigator. “What remains a critical unknown is how this debilitating condition uniquely impacts those already struggling with mood disorders, especially at different ages. The IMPACT-TD study is designed to bridge this crucial knowledge gap, giving us the insights we urgently need to offer targeted, meaningful support to every TD patient, no matter their background.”

TD Across the Lifespan

At the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) PALTC26 Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, a panel of experts presented new consensus recommendations focused on the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of tardive dyskinesia among older adults in long-term care settings.² While these recommendations importantly focused on older adults in long-term care, who are at an elevated risk for TD,³ there clearly needs to be further updates on how to support younger adults with TD.

References

1. Teva study finds only 23% of younger adults with mood disorders and tardive dyskinesia (TD) symptoms are formally diagnosed with TD despite widespread impact. News release. May 18, 2026. Accessed May 18, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/18/3296535/0/en/teva-study-finds-only-23-of-younger-adults-with-mood-disorders-and-tardive-dyskinesia-td-symptoms-are-formally-diagnosed-with-td-despite-widespread-impact.html

2. Neurocrine Biosciences presents first expert consensus recommendations for tardive dyskinesia in long-term care settings. News release. March 26, 2026. Accessed May 18, 2026. https://neurocrine.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/neurocrine-biosciences-presents-first-expert-consensus

3. Bron M, Aweh G, Jen E, Patel A. Real-world claims analysis to characterize the burden of tardive dyskinesia in long-term care settings. Neurol Ther. 2025;14(5):2217-2226.