DISEASES
description
Chorea is a movement disorder that causes involuntary, unpredictable body movements. The symptoms can range from minor movements, such as fidgeting, to severe uncontrolled arm and leg movements. These are often brief, irregular movements that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appear to flow from one muscle to the next. These ‘dance-like’ movements often occur with athetosis which is twisting and writhing movements. Walking may become difficult, and include odd postures and leg movements.
Chorea is associated with a broad range of neurological conditions including Huntington’s disease, Chorea-acanthocytosis, Sydenham’s chorea, poststreptococcal infections, brucellosis, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune encephalitis. The detection of specific autoantibodies can help pinpoint the diagnosis.
Symptoms
- Involuntary muscle movements in the hands, feet, and face
- Milkmaid’s grip (gripping and releasing fingers over and over again)
- Jack-in-the-box/Harlequin tongue (tongue pops in and out while trying to stick out tongue)
- Slurred speech
- Headaches and seizures
- Behavioral and emotional issues
Relevant Dx Tests
- Sleep Disorder Test (anti-IgLON5)
- Anti-NMDA Receptor
- Ganglioside Autoantibody Panel
- Anti‐DPPX (dipeptidyl aminopeptidase‐like 6)
- Anti-VGKC (Voltage gated potassium channel)
- Anti‐GABAB Receptor
- Anti‐AMPA Receptor
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
- Anti‐Myelin Associated Glycoproteins (MAG)
- Anti‐GAD 65 (Glutamate Decarboxylase)