Pregabalin Resolves Refractory Aparathyroid Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Choreoathetosis

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the potential efficacy of pregabalin as treatment for aparathyroid paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis. MethodThis was a case report. ResultsA 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. ConclusionsIt is unclear how pregabalin, which acts on the calcium channel &agr;(2) &dgr;-1 subunit, can help aparathyroid paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis. Further studies are required to see if pregabalin normalizes calcium metabolism in the basal ganglia.