DOI: 10.12890/2024_004943

Movement disorders that occurred as late manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease controlled by a low dose of carbamazepine

Authors

  • Patrick Manckoundia Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Champmaillot Hospital, University Hospital, Dijon, France; UMR Inserm/U1093 Cognition, Action, Sensorimotor Plasticity, University of Burgundy and Franche Comté, Dijon, France
  • Jérémie Vovelle Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Champmaillot Hospital, University Hospital, Dijon, France
  • Sylvia Cancemi Department of Medical Care and Rehabilitation in Geriatrics, University Hospital, Dijon, France
  • Rachid Mahmoudi Department of Internal Medicine and Acute Geriatrics, University Hospital, Reims, France
  • Thomas Renoncourt Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Champmaillot Hospital, University Hospital, Dijon, France; UMR Inserm/U1093 Cognition, Action, Sensorimotor Plasticity, University of Burgundy and Franche Comté, Dijon, France

patrick.manckoundia@chu-dijon.fr

Keywords

Abnormal movements, Alzheimer’s disease, management

Abstract

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, 44 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Abnormal movements are atypical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Case description: An 87-year-old woman, followed for Alzheimer’s disease, experienced abnormal movements. The episodes lasted 30 minutes, were involuntary, uncontrollable, anarchic, predominantly in the upper limbs, and without loss of consciousness or bladder control. An electroencephalogram ruled out atypical epilepsy. Pharmacovigilance investigation ruled out a drug-related cause. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormalities suggestive of Alzheimer’s disease, with no other evidence to explain the abnormal movements. Apart from the presence of Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, cerebrospinal fluid analysis found no abnormality. Dopamine transporter scan rule out an atypical parkinsonian syndrome. Finally, abnormal movements associated with Alzheimer’s disease were suspected. Abnormal movements disappeared within 72 hours on low-dose carbamazepine.
Conclusion: This case is educational both because of the clinical presentation and the management of symptoms.

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Published

2024-12-16

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2025)

Categories

How to Cite

1.
Manckoundia P, Vovelle J, Cancemi S, Mahmoudi R, Renoncourt T. Movement disorders that occurred as late manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease controlled by a low dose of carbamazepine. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 16 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];12(1). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/4943

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