Teva Pharmaceuticals presented new IMPACT-TD Registry data at the 2026 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting showing that young adults with tardive dyskinesia and mood disorders remain substantially underdiagnosed despite reporting significant psychological and daily-life burden. The study also identified prolonged delays in formal diagnosis, which may limit access to FDA-approved VMAT2 inhibitor therapies.
Young Adults Remain Underdiagnosed Despite High Disease Burden
Teva Pharmaceuticals has presented new findings from its ongoing IMPACT-TD Registry showing that young adults with tardive dyskinesia (TD) and underlying mood disorders remain significantly underdiagnosed despite experiencing substantial psychological and daily-life burden from the condition. The data were presented at the 2026 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting held May 16–20.
The analysis evaluated adults with TD who were not receiving vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor therapy at enrollment and who also had mood disorders such as bipolar disorder or depression. VMAT2 inhibitors are currently the only FDA-approved therapies specifically indicated for TD.
Investigators found that adults aged 18 to 29 had the lowest formal TD diagnosis rate at 23%, despite 85% reporting moderate to severe overall impact from the disorder. Adults aged 30 to 39 also showed relatively low formal TD diagnosis rates at 35%. In comparison, formal TD diagnosis rates reached 57% among adults aged 40 to 49 and averaged 47% across participants aged 50 years and older.
Researchers also identified a substantial delay between symptom recognition and diagnosis, with patients waiting more than 3.5 years on average before receiving a formal TD diagnosis after involuntary movements were first recognized.
Registry Captures Real-World Patient Experience
The findings came from the IMPACT-TD Registry, a three-year, prospective, non-interventional Phase 4 study designed to evaluate how TD progresses over time and affects patients’ lives. The registry includes a broad representation of patients across age groups, racial and ethnic backgrounds, psychiatric conditions, movement severity, and treatment status.
The present analysis included 211 adults with TD and concomitant mood disorders. Among participants, 60% had bipolar disorder and 54% had depression, with some patients having both conditions. Researchers assessed multidimensional disease burden using the clinician-reported IMPACT-TD scale, while TD severity was measured using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS).
Psychological Burden Persists Despite Lower Motor Severity
Across all age groups, most participants reported moderate to severe global impact from TD. The burden was particularly high among adults aged 18 to 29 and those aged 50 to 59, where 87% reported substantial daily-life impact.
Despite having lower average AIMS scores, younger adults continued to report considerable psychological burden, underscoring the impact of delayed recognition and underdiagnosis. Among adults aged 18 to 29, 77% experienced moderate to severe psychological effects despite an average AIMS score of 6.4, compared with scores of 8.4 among adults aged 60 to 69 and 9.9 among those older than 69 years.
Investigators Call for Earlier Recognition
Teva and study investigators said the findings highlight persistent diagnostic gaps that may leave many patients untreated. Investigators noted that delayed diagnosis may also delay access to VMAT2 inhibitor therapy, the only FDA-approved treatment option specifically indicated for TD.
The findings also underscore the need for routine TD screening in patients with mood disorders to help reduce diagnostic delays and improve access to care.
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