HIV-Related Movement DisordersEpidemiology, Pathogenesis and Management

Clinically relevant movement disorders are identified in 3% of patients with HIV infection seen at tertiary referral centres. In the same setting, prospective follow-up shows that 50% of patients with AIDS develop tremor, parkinsonism or other extrapyramidal features. Hemiballism-hemichorea and tremor are the most common hyperkinesias seen in patients who are HIV positive, but other movement disorders diagnosed in these patients include dystonia, chorea, myoclonus, tics, paroxysmal dyskinesias and parkinsonism. Patients with movement disorders usually present with other clinical features such as peripheral neuropathy, seizures, myelopathy and dementia.