J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1989; 1:57-60
Copyright © 1989 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Choreoathetosis: a sign of lithium toxicity
SM Reed, MG Wise and I Timmerman
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7792.
Two patients who developed choreoathetosis in the course of lithium
treatment are described, and other cases of choreoathetosis in lithium-
treated patients are reviewed. Choreoathetosis is suggested to be a sign of
lithium toxicity, almost always accompanied by other signs of
neurotoxicity, such as delirium and cerebellar dysfunction. Of the reported
cases, 44% developed permanent movement disorders, and 63% of the patients
with permanent deficits were taking both lithium and neuroleptic. When
choreoathetosis was not permanent, the average duration was seven days
after discontinuation of lithium (range, 1 to 90 days).
