Chorea

Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by random and flowing movements. The phenomenology of chorea can vary from mild forms to severe forms such as hemiballism. Motor impersistence is also one of the phenomenological features of chorea, and co-existing neurological features can serve as an important clue. Diagnosis leans heavily on the neurologic history and potentially involves an array of investigative measures including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, serological and genetic testing. Symptomatic treatment, when chorea is severe or affects patients’ daily activities, varies from the application of neuroleptics or vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors, to a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach in chronic cases, ensuring both patient and caregiver are adequately supported and treated. The chapter prompts critical diagnostic questions, outlines possible diagnostic scenarios, and details therapeutic approaches, offering a coherent guide to management.