Potential conflict of interest: None reported.
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Review
Substance abuse and movement disorders†
Article first published online: 18 AUG 2010
DOI: 10.1002/mds.22599
Copyright © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Additional Information
How to Cite
Brust, J. C.M. (2010), Substance abuse and movement disorders. Mov. Disord., 25: 2010–2020. doi: 10.1002/mds.22599
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 OCT 2010
- Article first published online: 18 AUG 2010
- Manuscript Accepted: 16 MAR 2009
- Manuscript Received: 16 JUN 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- ethanol;
- heroin;
- meperidine;
- psychostimulant;
- myoclonus
Abstract
An array of movement disorders is associated with ethanol, illicit drugs, and tobacco. Heavy ethanol users experience withdrawal tremor and, less often, withdrawal parkinsonism, chorea, and myoclonus. Asterixis is a feature of hepatic failure. On the other hand, ethanol can ameliorate essential tremor and myoclonus-dystonia. Among opioid drugs, meperidine can precipitate myoclonus. Severe parkinsonism affected users of a synthetic meperidine analog contaminated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Spongiform leukoencephalopathy, sometimes with chorea and myoclonus, occurred in inhalers of heroin vapor (chasing the dragon). Psychostimulants including cocaine acutely cause stereotypies and dyskinesias. Phencyclidine toxicity causes myoclonus. Tobacco use, on the other hand, protects against Parkinson's disease. Clinicians need to consider substance abuse in patients with unexplained movement disorders. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.