Movement disorders after stroke.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Stroke, both ischemic and hemorrhagic, is associated with various hyperkinetic and hypokinetic movement disorders.
• These post-stroke movement disorders can manifest acutely or as delayed complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and categorize different types of abnormal movements following stroke.
• To correlate these movements with anatomical locations, epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of the Medline database from 1966 to February 2008.
• Identification and filtering of 156 relevant case reports, case series, and review articles.
• Secondary reference review to ensure comprehensive data collection.

Main Results:

• Post-stroke movement disorders include hyperkinetic (e.g., hemichorea-hemiballism) and hypokinetic (e.g., vascular parkinsonism) types.
• Lesions commonly affect the basal ganglia or thalamus but can occur in various motor circuit locations.
• Many of these movement disorders are self-limiting, but symptomatic treatment may be necessary.

Conclusions:

• Movement disorders are a recognized complication of stroke, varying in type and presentation.
• Understanding the anatomical basis and clinical features is crucial for management.
• While often resolving spontaneously, therapeutic interventions can manage persistent symptoms.