Differential diagnosis of chorea (guidelines of the German Neurological Society)

  • \(\bf Introduction\) Choreiform movement disorders are characterized by involuntary, rapid, irregular, and unpredictable movements of the limbs, face, neck, and trunk. These movements often initially go unnoticed by the affected individuals and may blend together with seemingly intended, random motions. Choreiform movements can occur both at rest and during voluntary movements. They typically increase in intensity with stress and physical activity and essentially cease during deep sleep stages. In particularly in advanced stages of Huntington disease (HD), choreiform hyperkinesia occurs alongside with dystonic postures of the limbs or trunk before they typically decrease in intensity. \(\textbf {Summary or definition of the topic}\) The differential diagnosis of HD can be complex. Here, the authors aim to provide guidance for the diagnostic process. This guidance was prepared for the German Neurological Society (DGN) for German-speaking countries. \(\bf Recommendations\) Hereditary (inherited) and non-hereditary (non-inherited) forms of chorea can be distinguished. Therefore, the family history is crucial. However, even in conditions with autosomal-dominant transmission such as HD, unremarkable family histories do not necessarily rule out a hereditary form (e.g., in cases of early deceased or unknown parents, uncertainties in familial relationships, as well as in offspring of parents with CAG repeats in the expandable range (27–35 CAG repeats) which may display expansions into the pathogenic range). \(\bf Conclusions\) The differential diagnosis of chorea can be challenging. This guidance prepared for the German Neurological Society (DGN) reflects the state of the art as of 2023.

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Author:Carsten SaftORCiDGND, Jean-Marc BurgunderGND, Matthias DoseGND, Hans Heinrich JungGND, Regina KatzenschlagerGND, Josef PrillerGND, Huu Phuc NguyenORCiDGND, Kathrin ReetzGND, Ralf ReilmannGND, Klaus SeppiGND, Georg Bernhard LandwehrmeyerGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hbz:294-124438
DOI:https://doi.org/s42466-023-00292-2
Parent Title (English):Neurological research and practice
Publisher:BioMed Central, Part of Springer Nature
Place of publication:London
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2024/06/28
Date of first Publication:2023/11/23
Publishing Institution:Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsbibliothek
Tag:Open Access Fonds
Volume:5
Issue:Artikel 63
First Page:63-1
Last Page:63-11
Note:
Article Processing Charge funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Open Access Publication Fund of Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
Institutes/Facilities:St. Josef-Hospital Bochum, Neurologische Klinik
Huntington Zentrum NRW
Dewey Decimal Classification:Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Medizin, Gesundheit
Licence (English):License LogoCreative Commons - CC BY 4.0 - Attribution 4.0 International