Bilateral chorea following severe traumatic brain injury treated with risperidone

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Traumatology

Background:

• Movement disorders, such as chorea, can arise after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• There is a lack of established treatment guidelines for chorea in the context of TBI.
• The impact of TBI on individuals with pre-existing movement disorders is not well-documented.

Observation:

• A young, independent male with intellectual disability, epilepsy, and a family history of Huntington's disease sustained a severe TBI.
• Following the TBI, he developed bilateral chorea, leading to complete dependence in daily activities.

Findings:

• The administration of risperidone resulted in a significant decrease in chorea.
• This reduction in symptoms improved the patient's functional status and lessened the care burden.

Implications:

• This case report suggests risperidone may be an effective treatment for chorea post-TBI.
• Further research is crucial to develop clinical guidelines for managing movement disorders after brain injury.
• Understanding how TBI affects primary movement disorders requires additional investigation.