Pseudoathetosis

Clinic

• Athetosis refers to continuous involuntary movements of the distal extremities, usually involving the digits, hands, and feet.
• Pseudoathetosis is characterized by very similar involuntary, slow, writhing movements of the digits and distal extremities occurring with the eyes closed which closely resembles athetosis.
• This disorder is caused by impaired proprioception, while in athetosis there is no sensory loss.
• The lesion responsible for pseudoathetosis may be located anywhere in sensory pathways between peripheral nerve and parietal cortex, including especially posterior columns in cervical cord and thalamus.
• Most patients are unaware of abnormal movements when their eyes are closed. Opening or closing the eyes may have an inconsistent effect on the severity of the movements.

• Pseudoathetosis can occur with lesions located at any level of the sensory pathways from peripheral sensory nerves to the parietal cortex and may be a presenting symptom of CNS demyelination.