Chorea Disease - An abnormal involuntary movement disorder, one of a group of neurological
disorders known as dyskinesias. Chorea is characterised by brief, quasi-purposeful,
irregular contractions that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appear to flow from
one muscle to the next which can occur in a variety of conditions and disorders.
The movements may be simple or elaborate and often merge with more purposeful movements,
which may then mask the chorea.
It is a primary feature of Huntington's disease.
Twenty percent of children and adolescents with rheumatic fever develop Sydenham
Chorea as a complication.
Chorea Gravidarum is rare type of chorea which is a complication of pregnancy.
Wilson's disease - a genetic disorder that leads to toxic levels of copper in the
body
Ballism - When chorea is serious, slight movements will become thrashing motions;
this form of severe chorea is referred to as ballism.
Walking may become peculiar, and include odd postures and leg movements.
Unlike ataxia and dystonia, which affect the quality of voluntary movements or parkinsonism,
which is a hindrance of voluntary movements, the movements of chorea and ballism
occur on their own, without conscious effort.
Currently there is no standard course of treatment for chorea. Treatment depends
on the type of chorea and associated disease.
