Methamphetamine-induced choreoathetosis: A case report

Abstract

We describe the case of a 23-year-old male with a past psychiatric history of Obsessive Compulsive disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Cannabis Use Disorder, and a reported history of Bipolar II Disorder and ADHD, and no past medical history, who presented to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation of erractic behavior. Per his family's report, the patient has not been attending to his activities of daily living and has had poor sleep and significant weight loss for the past month. In the days preceding his presentation, he has experienced worsening irritability and rapid speech, and has been responding to internal stimuli and displaying odd repetitive movements of his extremities. On interview, the patient reported non-compliance to his prescribed Lithium and Paroxetine for the past three months. He also noted recently smoking methamphtamine on a daily basis for the past month and intermittently abusing cannabis, benzodiazepines and cocaine. His urine drug screen was positive for cannabinoids and amphetamines and the rest of his medical workup was within normal limits. On physical exam, he exhibited involuntary writhing and twisting movements of his extremities. An atypical antipschotic was prescribed, after which his choreoathetotic movements resolved within 24 hours. The purpose of this poster is to highlight the possibility of developing chorea as a result of methamphetamine use, given the rarity of such cases, and to discuss whether the resolution of his neurological symptoms were a result of antipsychotic administration or were simply due to the natural course of methamphetamine discontinuation during hospitalization.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.