Pregabalin resolves refractory aparathyroid paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the potential efficacy of pregabalin as treatment for aparathyroid paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis.


METHODS
This was a case report.


RESULTS
A 54-year-old white woman presented with a 20-year history of choreoathetoid and ballistic movements, which had developed as the result of parathyroidectomy. On examination, she demonstrated classic choreoathetoid movements with gait ataxia. Cognition was normal. Parathyroid hormone levels were near-absent with the rest of her workup being normal. Pregabalin 100 mg 3 times daily decreased her movements based on the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale from 46 to 0.


CONCLUSIONS
It is unclear how pregabalin, which acts on the calcium channel α(2) δ-1 subunit, can help aparathyroid paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis. Further studies are required to see if pregabalin normalizes calcium metabolism in the basal ganglia.
Desai Neurology Group, Upland, CA 91786, USA. William_S_Baek@hotmail.com
William S
WS
Baek
D004421:Dystonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid