The Underrecognized Movement Disorders Associated With Mood Stabilizers

Abstract

Abstract Non-dopaminergic-acting mood stabilizers commonly cause movement disorders with a wide range of symptoms, from reversible tremor to irreversible ataxia. Lithium has been reported to play a pathogenic role in multiple movement disorders including tremor, parkinsonism, chorea, dyskinesia, dystonia, ataxia, and somnambulism. However, there have also been studies assessing the therapeutic effects of lithium in movement disorders. Valproate has been associated with action tremor, parkinsonism and chorea. Besides directly implicated in myoclonus, tics, dystonia, carbamazepine can potentially increase the parkinsonian effects of other medications such as valproate, lithium, and antipsychotics through inhibition of their metabolism. The chapter also briefly discusses other medications in this group including lamotrigine, flunarizine, and cinnarizine.