Choreas, hemiballismus, dyskinesias, athetosis

Chorea and choreoathetosis, ballism, and levodopainduced dyskinesias are involuntary movements that differ in rhythm, speed, duration, pattern, induction, and suppressibility. They may affect restricted regions or involve the entire body, and have various causes. Chorea refers to involuntary, abnormal movements that are unpredictable in timing, direction and distribution and seem to flow from one body part to another. Ballism consists of very large amplitude choreic movements occurring in the proximal part of the limbs and causing flinging and flailing limb movements. Athetosis describes a class of slow, writhing, continuous involuntary movements sometimes associated with sustained contractions (athetosis blending with dystonia), sometimes with faster choreic movements (athetosis blending with chorea, or choreoathetosis). Levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) refer to the unwanted, abnormal and excessive movements observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and associated with levodopa therapy.