Choreoathetosis

Choreoathetosis
SpecialtyNeurology Edit this on Wikidata

Choreoathetosis is the occurrence of involuntary movements in a combination of chorea (irregular migrating contractions) and athetosis (twisting and writhing).

It is caused by many different diseases and agents. It is a symptom of several diseases, including GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, Lesch–Nyhan syndrome, phenylketonuria, and Huntington disease and can be a feature of kernicterus (rapidly increasing unconjugated bilirubin that cross the blood-brain-barrier in infants).

Choreoathetosis is also a common presentation of dyskinesia as a side effect of levodopa-carbidopa in the treatment of Parkinson disease.[1]

The use of crack cocaine or amphetamines can result in conditions nicknamed crack dancing, or tweaking respectively, described as choreoathetoid.[2]

  1. ^ "28". Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (Eleventh ed.). McGraw Hill Medical. July 2009. p. 473. ISBN 978-0-07-160405-5.
  2. ^ Deik, A; Saunders-Pullman, R; Luciano, MS (September 2012). "Substance of abuse and movement disorders: complex interactions and comorbidities". Current Drug Abuse Reviews. 5 (3): 243–53. doi:10.2174/1874473711205030243. PMC 3966544. PMID 23030352.