Those resembling the slow, involuntary writhing movements characteristic of athetosis, and especially evident in the hands and fingers and sometimes in the feet. First described by William John Little (1810-1894) in 1843. Athetoid cerebral palsy (CP) arises from damage to the basal ganglia or cerebellum, and occurs in about 10% of children with CP. Speech is nearly always affected to some degree due to difficulties in controlling the tongue, breathing and vocal cords. In addition, there may be drooling and problems with eating. Mixed CP commonly includes athetoid movements or dystonia or both, and mild spasticity. The movements may be reduced or disappear during sleep, but they are worsened by exercise (e.g., walking) and emotional stress. They may also be evident in Tourette’s syndrome.
See Basal ganglia (disorders), Cerebellum (disorders), Cerebral palsy, Choreiform movements, Dyskinesia, Dystonia, Grasp response, Huntington’s disease (or chorea), Muscle tone (or power), Spasticity, Tourette’s syndrome