Session Information
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Session Title: Drug-induced movement disorders
Session Time: 12:30pm-2:00pm
Location: Exhibit Hall located in Hall B, Level 2
Objective: To detail three cases of methamphetamine induced movement disorders with unique clinical phenotypes.
Background: MA is an addictive psychostimulant that affects both the central and peripheral monoamine neurotransmitter systems. In addition to the commonly observed neuropsychiatric and systemic symptoms of acute intoxication, there are also neurological manifestations that are associated with chronic abuse. MA induced movement disorders have varied clinical phenotypes and may present as either hyperkinetic or hypokinetic syndromes.
Methods: Case reports. Patients were seen at Oregon Health and Science University and at the Portland VA Medical Center (both in Portland, Oregon).
Results: Case 1: BB is a 38 y/o female with a history of MA abuse who presented for the evaluation of abnormal movements. History included 9 months of progressive involuntary movements in her jaw and all of her limbs. Physical exam was consistent with diffuse choreoathetosis. Etiology of choreoathetosis thought to be secondary to MA abuse. Case 2: SP is a 39 y/o female with a 20 year history of MA abuse who presented for the evaluation of involuntary movements. History included 2 weeks of involuntary high amplitude movements in all of her extremities. Her physical examination was significant for intermittent non-stereotyped myoclonic jerks in all her extremities. Etiology of myoclonic jerks thought to be secondary to MA abuse. Case 3: AM is a 44 y/o female with a history of MA abuse who presented for the evaluation of tremors and muscle jerks. History included 6 months of hand shaking and myoclonic jerk-like movements in all of her extremities. Physical examination was consistent with intermittent tremors in her upper extremities and moderate amplitude myoclonic jerks in all four extremities. Etiology of tremors and myoclonic jerks thought to be secondary to MA abuse.
Conclusions: There are a limited number of case reports describing the chronic neurologic manifestations of MA abuse. These three cases demonstrate that chronic MA abuse can cause varied movement disorder phenotypes, which are likely related to modulation of the monoamine neurotransmitter systems.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
T.A. Clark, J. Kraakevik. Three distinct cases of methamphetamine induced movement disorders [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2016; 31 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/three-distinct-cases-of-methamphetamine-induced-movement-disorders/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2016 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/three-distinct-cases-of-methamphetamine-induced-movement-disorders/