Athetosis is a result of some abnormalities of a part of the brain causing some problems in coordination and movements that imply hands and feet. It is a slow writhing movement that cannot be controlled. In some cases tongue and face muscles are implied leading to other disorders and consequences. Huntington’s disease that is a hereditary disease is the case that favors the apparition of athetosis and of another related disease – chorea. In some cases the two diseases are combined, contributing to the combination of the two names – choreoathetosis.

Athetosis may be also considered a disorder by some specialists, consisting in the slow, continuous, writhing movements of the hands and feet. Some muscles of the face, neck and tongue may be also affected by athetosis. This condition may appear in the moments of executing some movements or during the resting time. In some cases the symptoms of athetosis may resemble with the symptoms of dystonia, especially if the muscular contractions contribute to an abnormal posture.

The specialists discuss the problem of categorizing athetosis, as it is not a disease and it is not exactly a disorder. Athetosis is more a matter of a symptom of other diseases. The main problem of athetosis is the difficulty of the brain (of the basal ganglia) to control the commands of smooth movements. It is important to mention that athetosis is a rare disease and it may appear in one case in 10,000. Moreover, athetosis is present in cases of hereditary diseases, so it is a matter of inheritance. Athetosis may also appear as a symptom in the case of metabolic diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. Paroxysmal diseases may also contribute to the apparition of athetosis among other symptoms. In the most cases of the mentioned diseases athetosis appear together with chorea.

There are some causes and risk factors so that the athetosis may be developed. Taking into account that athetosis is mainly a problem of the basal ganglia, all the problems that affect the well functioning of the basal ganglia may eventually lead to athetosis. These problems and risk factors may be:

• Huntington disease that has as symptoms the changes of personality and thinking, as well as emotional changes;
• Parkinson disease that present trembling, difficulty in coordinating movements, and even thinking changes;
• Sydenham chorea that is a rare affection of the children who suffer from rheumatic fever;
• Wilson disease that has apart from the movement problems some emotional changes;
• Stroke and atherosclerosis, which are affections of some parts of the brain;
• Cerebral palsy – a brain damage of the new-born children.

Some medicines may also contribute to the development of some disorders of the basal ganglia, especially if it is the case of medicines for psychosis.

Athetosis, which is characterized by slow and writhing movements because of the incapacity of keeping the needed position or posture of a muscle group, may be also accompanied by other symptoms that are related with the disorder of the basal ganglia. These symptoms may be: personality changes and some emotional problems (anxiety, paranoia, problematic behavior); tremor and repeated movements when it is not necessary; unstable or abnormal posture; difficulty beginning and continuing some movements. Some other emotional or psychological problems may also appear, being given the fact that the function of the basal ganglia is affected. In some cases the lack of concentration or memory difficulties are possible, as well as the incapacity of thinking clearly.

These are the most important aspects about athetosis: its category and affiliation with other similar symptoms; the related signs and symptoms of the same basal ganglia disorder and some possible causes and risk factors.