Methylphenidate-induced chorea: case report and pharmacologic implications
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development
Published on: February 11, 2019
Abstract:
In a child with minimal brain dysfunction, we found that chorea was related to the major central effect of methylphenidate and probably to the effect of the drug on central catecholaminergic systems. Also, after 3 weeks of treatment with methylphenidate, guinea pigs showed a hypersensitive response to apomorphine, suggesting that chronic administration of methylphenidate leads to hypersensitivity of receptor sites. Chorea beginning shortly after initiation of methylphenidate therapy probably is related to the central dopaminergic effect of the drug; when choreic movements appear after chronic methylphenidate administration, altered responsiveness of striatal dopamine receptor sites may be responsible.
Related Concept Videos
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacokinetics
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is slower than the...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...

