The Canadian Movement Disorder Group
An irregular, unpredictable, random, jerky, movements that flow from one body part to another or a complete inability to sustain a steady body position. Athetosis is slower than chorea. It
is acceptable to use the term "choreoathetosis".
Inherited Degenerative Diseases
List of Causes
Huntington's Disease
Benign Familial Chorea
Neuroacanthocytosis
Toxins / Drugs
Birth Control Pill
Dilantin
L-dopa
Vascular Causes (Strokes)
Polycythemia (a disorder associated with too many red blood cells)
Hypertensive basal ganglia small strokes (Lacunes)
Vasculitis (inflamation of blood vessels (eg. Lupus)
Metabolic Disorders
Hyperthroidism (overactive thyroid)
Chorea Gravidarum (pregnancy induced chorea)
Chronic liver failure
Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)
Inherited Metabolic Diseases
Wilson's Disease (an inherited abnormality of copper storage)
Paroxysmal (episodic)Choreoathetosis
Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Choreoathetosis (Episodic chorea induced by movement)
Paroxysmal Non-Kinesigenic Choreoathetosis (Episodic chorea not induced by movement)
Infectious
Sydenham's Chorea (associated with Rheumatic fever)
Syphillis
A.I.D.S.
Others
Treatment
Treatment needs to proceed with caution. Frequently treatment settles chorea but the functional status of the patient is worsened.
Medications Options:
A variety of medications can be used to help settle the movement disorder including; Tetrabenazine, Reserpine, Trilafon (perphenazine), other Neuroleptics, and Haldol.
