Dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy
Overview
A rare neurodegenerative disease. Adult patients suffer symptoms such as ataxia, choreoathetosis myoclonus, epilepsy and dementia and children suffer ataxia, myoclonus, epilepsy and mental retardation. The condition is also known as Haw River syndrome or Natito-Oyanagi disease.
Symptoms
* Progressive myoclonic epilepsy * Poor head control * Choreoathetosis * Hyperkinetic movements * Involuntary movements * Seizures * Brain atrophy * Loss of balance * Dementia * Confusion * Involuntary muscle spasms * Mental retardation * Psychiatric problems
Diagnosis
This medical information about signs and symptoms for Dentatorubral Pallidoluysian Atrophy has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Dentatorubral Pallidoluysian Atrophy signs or Dentatorubral Pallidoluysian Atrophy symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Dentatorubral Pallidoluysian Atrophy may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Dentatorubral Pallidoluysian Atrophy symptoms.
Treatment
* Huntington's disease: Antidepressants may reduce depressive symptoms; neuroleptics (e.g., haloperidol, clozapine) may suppress choreic movements; disease is progressive and fatal; genetic counseling is suggested * Sydenham's chorea is usually self-limited with symptom resolution within 15 weeks * Acute rheumatic fever: Corticosteroids may shorten course of chorea; antibiotic therapy with penicillin for at least 10 days * Drug-induced chorea: Discontinue or reduce dosage of implicated medications; atypical neuroleptics are associated with decreased risk of involuntary movements * Chorea gravidarum may require delivery * Wilson's disease: Copper-chelating agents * Neuroacanthocytosis: Usually fatal within 9 years of symptom onset * Specific therapy for lupus, hyperthyroidism, AIDS