Choreia (or chorea) is an abnormal involuntary movement disorder, one of a group of neurological disorders called dyskinesias. The term choreia is derived from a Greek word χορεία (a kind of dance, see choreia (dance)), as the quick movements of the feet or hands are vaguely comparable to dancing or piano playing.

The term hemichoreia refers to choreia of one side of the body, such as choreia of one arm and not both (comparable to hemiballismus).

Presentation

Choreia is characterized by brief, quasi-purposeful, irregular contractions that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appear to flow from one muscle to the next.

These 'dance-like' movements of choreia (from the same root word as "choreography") often occur with athetosis, which adds twisting and writhing movements. Lumps called nodules may also form under skin in bony areas.

Causes

Choreia can occur in a variety of conditions and disorders.

• Choreia is a primary feature of Huntington's disease, a progressive, neurological disorder.

• Twenty percent of children and adolescents with rheumatic fever develop Sydenham's chorea as a complication.

• Choreia gravidarum is rare type of choreia which is a complication of pregnancy.

• Choreia may also be caused by drugs (levodopa, anti-convulsants, anti-psychotics), metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, and vascular incidents.

• Ataxia telangiectasia

• Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that leads to toxic levels of copper in the body

Ballism

When choreia is serious, slight movements will become thrashing motions; this form of severe choreia is referred to as ballism. Walking may become peculiar, and include odd postures and leg movements. Unlike ataxia and dystonia, which affect the quality of voluntary movements or parkinsonism, which is a hindrance of voluntary movements, the movements of choreia and ballism occur on their own, without conscious effort.

Treatment

There is no standard course of treatment for choreia. Treatment depends on the type of choreia and the associated disease. Although there are many drugs that can control Choreia, there is no known cure.