Movement disorders in multiple sclerosis and their treatment

Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2016 Dec;6(6s):31-35. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2016-0053.

Abstract

Hyperkinetic movement disorders such as tremors are not uncommon in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The classical feature is intention tremor, whereas rest tremors appear not to occur. Treatment is mainly invasive, with options of Gamma Knife surgery, thalamotomy or deep brain stimulation depending on individual circumstances. Deep brain stimulation is the only option for patients who require a bilateral intervention. All treatment recommendations have only low evidence. Tremors can also be cured spontaneously by a subsequent strategic MS lesion. Paroxysmal dyskinesias are rarer than tremors. The rarest MS movement disorder is symptomatic paroxysmal choreoathetosis, tonic spasms or 'brain stem fits'; attacks are short but frequent, up to 200 per day and generally respond well to carbamazepine.

Keywords: deep brain stimulation; hyperkinetic movement disorders; multiple sclerosis; paroxysmal dyskinesias; tremors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chorea / etiology
  • Chorea / therapy
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods
  • Humans
  • Movement Disorders / etiology
  • Movement Disorders / therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Thalamus / surgery
  • Tremor / etiology
  • Tremor / therapy