Sertraline-induced Hemichorea.

Authors :: Gatto EM
Aldinio V
Parisi V
Persi G
Da Prat G
Bullrich MB
Sanchez P
Rojas G
Source :: Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements (New York, N.Y.) [Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y)] 2017 Dec 18; Vol. 7, pp. 518. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Dec 18 (Print Publication: 2017).
Publication Year :: 2017
Abstract: Background: Hemichorea-hemiballism is a syndrome secondary to different etiologies. Drug-induced hemichorea is a rare syndrome related to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. To the best of our knowledge, no previous cases of hemichorea associated with sertraline have been reported.<br />Case Report: A 65-year-old female noticed hemichorea 1 week after initiation of sertraline. After extensive investigations, other causes of hemichorea were excluded. Hemichorea remitted after sertraline withdrawal.<br />Discussion: In our patient, temporal association and the negative clinical assessment supported a diagnosis of likely drug-induced involuntary movement. We hypothesized that enhanced serotonergic transmission in the ventral tegmental area or nigrostriatum may be involved in sertraline-induced hemichorea.<br />Competing Interests: Funding: None. Conflicts of Interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. Ethics Statement: All patients that appear on video have provided written informed consent; authorization for the videotaping and for publication of the videotape was provided.