Which movement disorder is defined as jerking movements?

• A. Athetosis
• B. Chorea
• C. Choreoathetosis
• D. Dopamine-responsive dystonia

Answer: (B)

Chorea describes jerky, rapid, irregular movements that flow from one body part to another. This brief, unpredictable motor activity is the hallmark that distinguishes it from other movement disorders. That makes it the best fit for the description of “jerking movements.”

To understand the contrast, athetosis involves slow, writhing, continuous movements rather than quick, brief jerks; choreoathetosis is a mix of both chorea and athetosis; dystonia features sustained or repetitive contractions that cause abnormal postures or twisting; and dopamine-responsive dystonia is a type of dystonia that often improves with levodopa and isn’t characterized primarily by rapid jerks. Classic examples of chorea include Huntington disease and Sydenham chorea.