A condition in which the jerky, uncontrolled movements characteristic of chorea are combined with the slower, continuous writhing movements of athetosis.
Choreoathetosis occurs in children with cerebral palsy and as a side effect of certain drugs.
Abnormal movements of the muscles resulting from disorder of the brain. Movements are uncoordinated and involuntary and occur in facial as well as limb muscles. They include athetosis (writhing movements), CHOREA (jerking movements predominate), choreoathetosis (a combined type), myoclonus (spasms), tics and tremors.... dyskinesia
Chorea, or St Vitus’s dance, is the occurrence of short, purposeless involuntary movements of the face, head, hands and feet. Movements are sudden, but the affected person may hold the new posture for several seconds. Chorea is often accompanied by ATHETOSIS, when it is termed choreoathetosis. Choreic symptoms are often due to disease of the basal ganglion in the brain. The withdrawal of phenothiazines may cause the symptoms, as can the drugs used to treat PARKINSONISM. Types of chorea include HUNTINGTON’S CHOREA, an inherited disease, and SYDENHAM’S CHOREA, which is autoimmune. There is also a degenerative form – senile chorea.... chorea
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