What causes Ballism?

Ballism is a severe form of chorea characterized by involuntary, violent flinging movements of the limbs. When unilateral, it is calledhemiballism. Most cases are caused by damage to the contralateral STN or its outflow tracts as a result of vascular disease or trauma (infarct or hemorrhage).

What type of stroke causes Hemiballismus?

Following are some of the common etiologies of hemiballismus: Intracranial hemorrhage[4] Stroke (ischemic): the most common cause in patients more than 65-year-old from the small perforating branches of the basilar artery[1]

What is Ballism?

Ballism or ballismus consists of repetitive, but constantly varying, large amplitude involuntary movements of the proximal parts of the limbs. This activity is almost ceaseless and movements are often complex and combined (Meyers 1968).

What is the treatment for Hemiballismus?

Hemiballismus is usually treated with antipsychotics, such as haloperidol and clozapine, but thalamic ablation is considered in severe cases if there is no response to medical therapies.

What causes Hemiballismus?

Hemiballismus is usually caused by a stroke that affects a small area just below the basal ganglia called the subthalamic nucleus. The subthalamic nucleus helps control voluntary movements.

How is Hemiballismus treated?

What tardive dyskinesia looks like?

Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary and abnormal movements of the jaw, lips and tongue. Typical symptoms include facial grimacing, sticking out the tongue, sucking or fish-like movements of the mouth.

How is akinesia diagnosed?

Diagnosis of akinesia Akinesia can be diagnosed during a motor exam as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease. A neurologist or physician can monitor movement when a patient is asked to perform certain tasks, such as walking or finger tapping. Akinesia can be a symptom of other conditions or disorders.

What is acute akinesia?

Akinetic crisis or acute akinesia is a life-threatening complication of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with unknown pathophysiological mechanisms. Clinically, it resembles the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and dopaminergic drugs are transiently ineffective in the acute phase of the condition.