MOVEMENT DISORDERS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

The scope of the present review is to describe the movement disorders that a clinician may encounter during the course or as a consequence of infectious diseases. The whole spectrum of movement disorders has been described, either in isolation or, more commonly, as part of a broader brain dysfunction. Various infectious agents have been implicated including neurotropic viruses, bacterial or parasitic infections etc. The clinical picture may be the consequence of direct involvement of motor structures or networks by an inflammatory process or a delayed immune-mediated response, triggered by the infectious agent. Proper diagnosis sometimes requires a high degree of clinical suspicion and the timely administration of the appropriate treatment may have a significant impact on the outcome.