Case Reports
Sertraline-induced Hemichorea
Authors:
- Emilia M. GattoEmail Emilia M. Gatto
- Victoria Aldinio
- Virginia Parisi
- Gabriel Persi
- Gustavo Da Prat
- Maria Bres Bullrich
- Pilar Sanchez
- Galeno Rojas
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.
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.
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.
- Year: 2017
- Volume: 7
- Page/Article: 518
- DOI: 10.5334/tohm.367
- Submitted on 3 Oct 2017
- Accepted on 28 Nov 2017
- Published on 18 Dec 2017
- Peer Reviewed