Athetosis

Athetosis
Bilateral athetosis
SpecialtyNeurology

Athetosis is a symptom characterized by slow, involuntary, convoluted, writhing movements of the fingers, hands, toes, and feet and in some cases, arms, legs, neck and tongue.[1] Movements typical of athetosis are sometimes called athetoid movements. Lesions to the brain are most often the direct cause of the symptoms, particularly to the corpus striatum.[2] This symptom does not occur alone and is often accompanied by the symptoms of cerebral palsy, as it is often a result of this physical disability. Treatments for athetosis are not very effective, and in most cases are simply aimed at managing the uncontrollable movement, rather than the cause itself.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Walker, Kenneth H (1990). "Ch. 70 Involuntary Movements". Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory (3rd ed.). PMID 21250235.
  2. ^ "Athetosis". Health Database - Medical Ailments & Diseases. Retrieved March 22, 2011.