Extrapyramidal Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Systematic Review
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Eligibility Criteria
2.2. The Exclusion Criteria Were as Follows
- non-MS demyelinating disorders unless used for differential diagnosis,
- studies without extractable clinical or neuroimaging data,
- conference abstracts lacking full text and findings,
- and animal studies and preclinical studies.
2.3. Study Selection and Data Extraction
3. Results of the Search
3.1. Holmes’ Tremor
3.2. Dystonia
3.3. Chorea
3.4. Myoclonus
3.5. Parkinsonism
3.6. Restless Leg Syndrome
| Disorder | Prevalence | Clinical Features | Proposed Mechanisms | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmes’ Tremor | Very rare; case studies | Rest + postural + intention tremor (<4.5 Hz), often unilateral | Combined cerebellothalamic + nigrostriatal disruption | [25,26,35,36,37,38] |
| Dystonia | Rare; focal/segmental/par-oxysmal | Sustained contractions, abnormal postures, and pain in paroxysmal forms | Loss of inhibition; basal ganglia–cerebellar network dysfunction | [44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52] |
| Chorea | Very rare | Irregular, flowing involuntary movements | Disinhibition of basal ganglia pathways | [56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64] |
| Myoclonus | Rare; oculopalatal tremor (OPT) is the most reported | Sudden jerks; OPT = ocular + palatal oscillation | Cortical hyperexcitability; spinal disinhibition | [65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74] |
| Parkinsonism | Uncommon; often coincidental | Bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor | Demyelination of dopaminergic circuits vs. coexistent Parkinson’s disease | [78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89] |
| Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) | Common in MS (12–57%) | Urge to move legs, worse at night | Dopaminergic dysfunction, iron deficiency, and spinal hyperexcitability | [92,93,94,95,96,97,98,99,100,101,102] |
| Movement Disorder | Lesion Site(s) Reported | Latency From Lesion to Onset | Treatments Tried | Evidence Level | Reported Response | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holmes’ Tremor | Midbrain, red nucleus, thalamus, cerebellar outflow tracts | Weeks-months (subacute chronic) | Levodopa, clonazepam, DBS, steroids | Case reports only | Treatment responses are variable, with occasional levodopa benefit reported | [29,30,31,32,33] |
| Dystonia | Internal capsule, basal ganglia, mesencephalon, periventricular white matter | Acute–subacute, often during relapse | Steroids, carbamazepine, clonazepam | Case reports | Treatment ranges from symptomatic therapy, such as benzodiazepines and antiepileptics, to corticosteroids in relapse-associated cases | [42,43,44,45,46] |
| Chorea | Thalamus, subthalamic nucleus, postthalamic pathways | Acute or relapse-related | VMAT2 inhibitors, dopamine blockers, steroids | Case reports | Symptomatic therapy is typical, while relapse-related cases may improve with corticosteroids | [56,57,58,59,60,61] |
| Myoclonus | cortex, subcortical structures, the brainstem, or the spinal cord | Variable | Clonazepam, levetiracetam, valproate | Case reports | Treatment may include clonazepam, antiepileptics, or relapse therapy, depending on the mechanism | [65,66,67,68] |
| Parkinsonism | nigrostriatal pathway, basal ganglia, or midbrain | Acute with relapse or chronic | Steroids, levodopa | Case reports | Treatment responses vary; corticosteroids may help in relapse-induced cases | [78,79,80,81,82,83] |
| Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) | Cervical cord, brainstem, and subcortical motor regions | Chronic | Dopaminergic meds, α-2-δ ligands, iron, exercise | Observational studies; one small RCT (exercise) | Dopaminergic therapies, iron supplementation, and physical activity may be beneficial | [90,91,92,93] |
4. Discussion
5. Clinical Implications
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Dobson, R.; Giovannoni, G. Multiple sclerosis—A review. Eur. J. Neurol. 2019, 26, 27–40. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Thompson, A.J.; Baranzini, S.E.; Geurts, J.; Hemmer, B.; Ciccarelli, O. Multiple sclerosis. Lancet 2018, 391, 1622–1636. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ford, H. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Clin. Med. 2020, 20, 380–383. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Anwar, M.M.; Özkan, E.; Shomalizadeh, N.; Sapancı, S.; Özler, C.; Kesibi, J.; Gürsoy-Özdemir, Y. Assessing the role of primary healthy microglia and gap junction blocker in hindering Alzheimer’s disease neuroinflammatory type: Early approaches for therapeutic intervention. Front. Neurosci. 2023, 16, 1041461. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Anwar, M.M.; Fathi, M.H. Early approaches of YKL-40 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease. Neurodegener. Dis. Manag. 2023, 13, 85–99. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mukherji, S. Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis and Management. Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. 2017, 27, xv. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Dekker, I.; Wattjes, M.P. Brain and Spinal Cord MR Imaging Features in Multiple Sclerosis and Variants. Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. 2017, 27, 205–227. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Khan, S.; Aldawood, Y.; Kazi, N.; Sideeque, S.; Ansari, N.; Mohammed, H.; Byroju, V.V.; Fornari Caprara, A.L.; Rissardo, J.P. Brain structural and functional alteration in movement disorders: A narrative review of markers and their dynamic changes. NeuroMarkers 2025, 100130. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Maxwell, D.L.; Orian, J.M. Cerebellar pathology in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: Current status and future directions. J. Cent. Nerv. Syst. Dis. 2023, 15, 11795735231211508. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Cooze, B.J.; Dickerson, M.; Loganathan, R.; Watkins, L.M.; Grounds, E.; Pearson, B.R.; Bevan, R.J.; Morgan, B.P.; Magliozzi, R.; Reynolds, R.; et al. The association between neurodegeneration and local complement activation in the thalamus to progressive multiple sclerosis outcome. Brain Pathol. 2022, 32, e13054. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Li, Y.; Jewells, V.; Kim, M.; Chen, Y.; Moon, A.; Armao, D.; Troiani, L.; Markovic-Plese, S.; Lin, W.; Shen, D. Diffusion Tensor Imaging Based Network Analysis Detects Alterations of Neuroconnectivity in Patients with Clinically Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Hum. Brain Mapp. 2013, 34, 3376–3391. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Anwar, M.M. Brain-printing biometrics underlying mechanism as an early diagnostic technique for Alzheimer’s disease neurodegenerative type. Curr. Res. Physiol. 2021, 4, 216–222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Elahi, R.; Taremi, S.; Najafi, A.; Karimi, H.; Asadollahzadeh, E.; Sajedi, S.A.; Rad, H.S.; Sahraian, M.A. Advanced MRI Methods for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2025, 62, 1546–1578. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Goldman, J.S.; Fahn, S. Chapter 68—Genetics of Parkinson Disease and Related Diseases. In Rosenberg’s Molecular and Genetic Basis of Neurological and Psychiatric Disease, 5th ed.; Rosenberg, R.N., Pascual, J.M., Eds.; Academic Press: Boston, MA, USA, 2015; pp. 769–778. [Google Scholar]
- Brandsma, R.; van Egmond, M.E.; Tijssen, M.A.J. Diagnostic approach to paediatric movement disorders: A clinical practice guide. Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 2021, 63, 252–258. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Abboud, H.; Yu, X.X.; Knusel, K.; Fernandez, H.H.; Cohen, J.A. Movement disorders in early MS and related diseases: A prospective observational study. Neurol. Clin. Pract. 2019, 9, 24–31. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wichmann, T.; Dostrovsky, J.O. Pathological basal ganglia activity in movement disorders. Neuroscience 2011, 198, 232–244. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Candeias da Silva, C.; Bichuetti, D.B.; Azevedo Silva, S.M.C.; Ferraz, H.B.; Oliveira, E.M.L.; Borges, V. Movement disorders in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica: A clinical marker of neurological disability. Park. Relat. Disord. 2018, 51, 73–78. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Obeso, J.; Rodriguez-Oroz, M.; Díaz, M.; Arbizu, J.; Giménez-Amaya, J. The Basal Ganglia and Disorders of Movement: Pathophysiological Mechanisms. Physiology 2002, 17, 51–55. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tranchant, C.; Bhatia, K.P.; Marsden, C.D. Movement disorders in multiple sclerosis. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 1995, 10, 418–423. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Viallet, F.; Witjas, T.; Gayraud, D.; Pelletier, J.; Regis, J. Tremor and abnormal movement in multiple sclerosis: Symptomatic therapeutic indications. Rev. Neurol. 2001, 157, 1079–1084. [Google Scholar]
- Nociti, V.; Bentivoglio, A.R.; Frisullo, G.; Fasano, A.; Soleti, F.; Iorio, R.; Loria, G.; Patanella, A.K.; Marti, A.; Tartaglione, T.; et al. Movement disorders in multiple sclerosis: Causal or coincidental association? Mult. Scler. 2008, 14, 1284–1287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Alusi, S.H.; Worthington, J.; Glickman, S.; Bain, P.G. A study of tremor in multiple sclerosis. Brain 2001, 124, 720–730. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mehanna, R.; Jankovic, J. Movement disorders in multiple sclerosis and other demyelinating diseases. J. Neurol. Sci. 2013, 328, 1–8. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Oakes, P.K.; Srivatsal, S.R.; Davis, M.Y.; Samii, A. Movement disorders in multiple sclerosis. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am. 2013, 24, 639–651. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Koch, M.; Mostert, J.; Heersema, D.; De Keyser, J. Tremor in multiple sclerosis. J. Neurol. 2007, 254, 133–145. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rojas, N.G.; Cesarini, M.; Etcheverry, J.L.; Da Prat, G.; Viera Aramburu, T.; Gatto, E.M. Holmes Tremor Partially Responsive to Topiramate: A Case Report. Tremor Other Hyperkinet. Mov. 2018, 8, 565. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tayade, K.; Chavan, A.; Bharote, H.; Asole, D.; Venkitachalam, A.; Karle, A.; Morey, J. Holmes Tremor as a Delayed Sequelae of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Case Report. Ann. Mov. Disord. 2025, 8, 141–144. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Seidel, S.; Kasprian, G.; Leutmezer, F.; Prayer, D.; Auff, E. Disruption of nigrostriatal and cerebellothalamic pathways in dopamine responsive Holmes’ tremor. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 2009, 80, 921–923. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Yen, K.; Yaworski, A.; Bussiere, M.; Ba, F. Pearls & Oy-sters: A Case Report of Holmes Tremor Due to Nigrostriatal Dopamine Disruption That Responded to Dopamine Replacement Therapy. Neurology 2022, 99, 480–483. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ortega-Robles, E.; Arias-Carrión, O. Tremor: Clinical Frameworks, Network Dysfunction and Therapeutics. Brain Sci. 2025, 15, 799. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Baizabal-Carvallo, J.F.; Alonso-Juarez, M.; Fekete, R. Head tremor in Parkinson’s Disease, clinical Associations and response to therapy. Clin. Park Relat. Disord. 2025, 12, 100328. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Wang, K.L.; Wong, J.K.; Eisinger, R.S.; Carbunaru, S.; Smith, C.; Hu, W.; Wagle Shukla, A.; Hess, C.W.; Okun, M.S.; Ramirez-Zamora, A. Therapeutic Advances in the Treatment of Holmes Tremor: Systematic Review. Neuromodulation Technol. Neural Interface 2022, 25, 796–803. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pittock, S.J.; McClelland, R.L.; Mayr, W.T.; Rodriguez, M.; Matsumoto, J.Y. Prevalence of tremor in multiple sclerosis and associated disability in the Olmsted County population. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 2004, 19, 1482–1485. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bhatia, K.P.; Bain, P.; Bajaj, N.; Elble, R.J.; Hallett, M.; Louis, E.D.; Raethjen, J.; Stamelou, M.; Testa, C.M.; Deuschl, G. Consensus Statement on the classification of tremors. from the task force on tremor of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Mov. Disord. 2018, 33, 75–87. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Raina, G.B.; Cersosimo, M.G.; Folgar, S.S.; Giugni, J.C.; Calandra, C.; Paviolo, J.P.; Tkachuk, V.A.; Zuñiga Ramirez, C.; Tschopp, A.L.; Calvo, D.S.; et al. Holmes tremor: Clinical description, lesion localization, and treatment in a series of 29 cases. Neurology 2016, 86, 931–938. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Mossuto-Agatiello, L.; Puccetti, G.; Castellano, A.E. “Rubral” tremor after thalamic haemorrhage. J. Neurol. 1993, 241, 27–30. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nsengiyumva, N.; Barakat, A.; Macerollo, A.; Batla, A.; Quinn, N.P.; Pal, P.K.; Bhatia, K.P. Thalamic versus midbrain tremor; two distinct types of Holmes’ Tremor: A review of 17 cases. J. Neurol. 2021, 268, 4152–4162. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Peterson, B.S.; Thomas, P.; Kane, M.J.; Scahill, L.; Zhang, H.; Bronen, R.; King, R.A.; Leckman, J.F.; Staib, L. Basal Ganglia volumes in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 2003, 60, 415–424. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Kutzelnigg, A.; Lucchinetti, C.F.; Stadelmann, C.; Brück, W.; Rauschka, H.; Bergmann, M.; Schmidbauer, M.; Parisi, J.E.; Lassmann, H. Cortical demyelination and diffuse white matter injury in multiple sclerosis. Brain 2005, 128, 2705–2712. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Filippi, M.; Bozzali, M.; Rovaris, M.; Gonen, O.; Kesavadas, C.; Ghezzi, A.; Martinelli, V.; Grossman, R.I.; Scotti, G.; Comi, G.; et al. Evidence for widespread axonal damage at the earliest clinical stage of multiple sclerosis. Brain 2003, 126, 433–437. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Corp, D.T.; Greenwood, C.J.; Morrison-Ham, J.; Pullinen, J.; McDowall, G.M.; Younger, E.F.P.; Jinnah, H.A.; Fox, M.D.; Joutsa, J. Clinical and Structural Findings in Patients With Lesion-Induced Dystonia: Descriptive and Quantitative Analysis of Published Cases. Neurology 2022, 99, e1957–e1967. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Aguirregomozcorta, M.; Ramió-Torrentà, L.; Gich, J.; Quiles, A.; Genis, D. Paroxysmal dystonia and pathological laughter as a first manifestation of multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. 2008, 14, 262–265. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Thenganatt, M.; Jankovic, J. Treatment of Dystonia. Neurotherapeutics 2014, 11, 139–152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- van den Heuvel, C.; Tijssen, M.A.J.; van de Warrenburg, B.P.C.; Delnooz, C.C.S. The Symptomatic Treatment of Acquired Dystonia: A Systematic Review. Mov. Disord. Clin. Pract. 2016, 3, 548–558. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sarin, S.; Lawal, T.; Abboud, H. Spinal dystonia and other spinal movement disorders. Dystonia 2023, 2, 11303. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Albanese, A.; Bhatia, K.; Bressman, S.B.; Delong, M.R.; Fahn, S.; Fung, V.S.; Hallett, M.; Jankovic, J.; Jinnah, H.A.; Klein, C.; et al. Phenomenology and classification of dystonia: A consensus update. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 2013, 28, 863–873. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Minagar, A.; Sheremata, W.A.; Weiner, W.J. Transient movement disorders and multiple sclerosis. Park. Relat. Disord. 2002, 9, 111–113. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shiraishi, K.; Higuchi, Y.; Ozawa, K. Dystonia in a 13-year-old boy with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Brain Dev. 2004, 26, 539–541. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Meierkord, H.; Fish, D.R.; Smith, S.J.; Scott, C.A.; Shorvon, S.D.; Marsden, C.D. Is nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia a form of frontal lobe epilepsy? Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 1992, 7, 38–42. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Goldman, J.G. Writer’s cramp. Toxicon Off. J. Int. Soc. Toxinology 2015, 107, 98–104. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Potulska-Chromik, A.; Rudzinska, M.; Nojszewska, M.; Podlecka-Piętowska, A.; Szczudlik, A.; Zakrzewska-Pniewska, B.; Gołębiowski, M. Clinical and neuroimaging correlation of movement disorders in multiple sclerosis: Case series and review of the literature. Folia Neuropathol. 2014, 52, 92–100. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wirth, T.; Garone, G.; Kurian, M.A.; Piton, A.; Millan, F.; Telegrafi, A.; Drouot, N.; Rudolf, G.; Chelly, J.; Marks, W.; et al. Highlighting the Dystonic Phenotype Related to GNAO1. Mov. Disord. 2022, 37, 1547–1554. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Garone, G.; Capuano, A.; Travaglini, L.; Graziola, F.; Stregapede, F.; Zanni, G.; Vigevano, F.; Bertini, E.; Nicita, F. Clinical and Genetic Overview of Paroxysmal Movement Disorders and Episodic Ataxias. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 3603. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Al Dehailan, A.S. Paroxysmal dystonia as an initial presentation of multiple sclerosis posing a diagnostic challenge. Neurosciences 2019, 24, 236–239. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Nikseresht, A.; Ostovan, V.R.; Asgari, Y. Hemiballismus and choreoathetosis as a relapse in multiple sclerosis: A case report and review of literature. Rom. J. Neurol. 2020, 19, 119–122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Martinez-Ramirez, D.; Walker, R.H.; Rodríguez-Violante, M.; Gatto, E.M. Review of Hereditary and Acquired Rare Choreas. Tremor Other Hyperkinet. Mov. 2020, 10, 24. [Google Scholar]
- Cappellari, A.M.; Rogani, G.; Filocamo, G.; Petaccia, A. Corticosteroid Treatment in Sydenham Chorea: A 27-Year Tertiary Referral Center Experience. Children 2023, 10, 262. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kelly, H.; Sun, R.; Elkasaby, M.; Wang, A.; Abboud, H. Movement disorders in relapsing and progressive MS: A comprehensive prospective evaluation of a large real-life cohort. J. Neurol. Sci. 2025, 472, 123468. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dean, S.L.; Singer, H.S. Treatment of Sydenham’s Chorea: A Review of the Current Evidence. Tremor Other Hyperkinet. Mov. 2017, 7, 456. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Burnett, L.; Jankovic, J. Chorea and ballism. Curr. Opin. Neurol. Neurosurg. 1992, 5, 308–313. [Google Scholar]
- Kay, C.S.; Scola, R.H.; Lorenzoni, P.J.; Teive, H.A.; Gasparetto, E.L.; Werneck, L.C. Complex hyperkinetic movement disorders: An unusual presentation in multiple sclerosis. Arq. De Neuro-Psiquiatr. 2009, 67, 902–903. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Masucci, E.F.; Saini, N.; Kurtzke, J.F. Bilateral ballism in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1989, 39, 1641–1642. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lee, M.S.; Marsden, C.D. Movement disorders following lesions of the thalamus or subthalamic region. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 1994, 9, 493–507. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Riva, A.; D’Onofrio, G.; Ferlazzo, E.; Pascarella, A.; Pasini, E.; Franceschetti, S.; Panzica, F.; Canafoglia, L.; Vignoli, A.; Coppola, A.; et al. Myoclonus: Differential diagnosis and current management. Epilepsia Open 2024, 9, 486–500. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kojovic, M.; Cordivari, C.; Bhatia, K. Myoclonic disorders: A practical approach for diagnosis and treatment. Ther. Adv. Neurol. Disord. 2011, 4, 47–62. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Caviness, J.N. Treatment of myoclonus. Neurotherapeutics 2014, 11, 188–200. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pena, A.B.; Caviness, J.N. Physiology-Based Treatment of Myoclonus. Neurotherapeutics 2020, 17, 1665–1680. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Revol, A.; Vighetto, A.; Confavreux, C.; Trillet, M.; Aimard, G. Oculo-palatal myoclonus and multiple sclerosis. Rev. Neurol. 1990, 146, 518–521. [Google Scholar]
- Sudhakar, P.; Parmar, H.; Cornblath, W.T. Oculopalatal tremor in multiple sclerosis with spontaneous resolution. Neurol. Clin. Pract. 2012, 2, 255–257. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gresty, M.A.; Ell, J.J.; Findley, L.J. Acquired pendular nystagmus: Its characteristics, localising value and pathophysiology. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 1982, 45, 431–439. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jankovic, J.; Pardo, R. Segmental myoclonus. Clinical and pharmacologic study. Arch. Neurol. 1986, 43, 1025–1031. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tilikete, C.; Jasse, L.; Pelisson, D.; Vukusic, S.; Durand-Dubief, F.; Urquizar, C.; Vighetto, A. Acquired pendular nystagmus in multiple sclerosis and oculopalatal tremor. Neurology 2011, 76, 1650–1657. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wildner, P.; Stasiołek, M.; Matysiak, M. Differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory CNS diseases. Mult. Scler. Relat. Disord. 2020, 37, 101452. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Smith, C.R.; Scheinberg, L. Coincidence of myoclonus and multiple sclerosis: Dramatic response to clonazepam. Neurology 1990, 40, 1633–1634. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kapoor, R.; Brown, P.; Thompson, P.D.; Miller, D.H. Propriospinal myoclonus in multiple sclerosis. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 1992, 55, 1086–1088. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sarin, S.; Wang, A.; Elkasaby, M.; Abboud, H. Parkinsonism in multiple sclerosis patients: A prospective observational study. Mult. Scler. Relat. Disord. 2022, 62, 103796. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Berlot, R.; Pavlović, A.; Kojović, M. Secondary parkinsonism associated with focal brain lesions. Front. Neurol. 2024, 15, 1438885. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vasta, R.; Nicoletti, A.; Mostile, G.; Dibilio, V.; Sciacca, G.; Contrafatto, D.; Cicero, C.E.; Raciti, L.; Luca, A.; Zappia, M. Side effects induced by the acute levodopa challenge in Parkinson’s Disease and atypical parkinsonisms. PLoS ONE 2017, 12, e0172145. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Nishimura, H.; Tachibana, H.; Makiura, N.; Okuda, B.; Sugita, M. Corticosteroid-responsive parkinsonism associated with primary Sjögren’s syndrome. Clin. Neurol. Neurosurg. 1994, 96, 327–331. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Saidha, S.; Mok, T.H.; Butler, M.; Fanning, N.; Harrington, H. Multiple sclerosis exceptionally presenting as parkinsonism responds to intravenous methylprednisolone. J. Clin. Neurosci. 2010, 17, 654–655. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Federlein, J.; Postert, T.; Allgeier, A.; Hoffmann, V.; Pöhlau, D.; Przuntek, H. Remitting parkinsonism as a symptom of multiple sclerosis and the associated magnetic resonance imaging findings. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 1997, 12, 1090–1091. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Folgar, S.; Gatto, E.M.; Raina, G.; Micheli, F. Parkinsonism as a manifestation of multiple sclerosis. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 2003, 18, 108–110. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Barun, B.; Brinar, V.V.; Zadro, I.; Lusić, I.; Radović, D.; Habek, M. Parkinsonism and multiple sclerosis—Is there association? Clin. Neurol. Neurosurg. 2008, 110, 958–961. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Etemadifar, M.; Afshar, F.; Nasr, Z.; Kheradmand, M. Parkinsonism associated with multiple sclerosis: A report of eight new cases and a review on the literature. Iran. J. Neurol. 2014, 13, 88–93. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Ghosh, R.; Roy, D. Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis: An Update. Tremor Other Hyperkinetic Mov. 2022, 12, 14. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Manconi, M.; Rocca, M.A.; Ferini-Strambi, L.; Tortorella, P.; Agosta, F.; Comi, G.; Filippi, M. Restless legs syndrome is a common finding in multiple sclerosis and correlates with cervical cord damage. Mult. Scler. 2008, 14, 86–93. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Meshref, M.; Mansour, F.M.; Rashad, M.H.; Abdelsayed, M.M.; Gad, H.; El-Adawy, A.F.I. Prevalence and radiological characteristics of movement disorders among patients with multiple sclerosis: An observational study. Brain Disord. 2025, 19, 100250. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gossard, T.R.; Trotti, L.M.; Videnovic, A.; St Louis, E.K. Restless Legs Syndrome: Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment. Neurotherapeutics 2021, 18, 140–155. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Allen, R. Dopamine and iron in the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Sleep Med. 2004, 5, 385–391. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lebrato Hernández, L.; Prieto León, M.; Cerdá Fuentes, N.A.; Uclés Sánchez, A.J.; Casado Chocán, J.L.; Díaz Sánchez, M. Restless legs syndrome in patients with multiple sclerosis: Evaluation of risk factors and clinical impact. Neurology 2022, 37, 83–90. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Minár, M.; Petrleničová, D.; Valkovič, P. Higher prevalence of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease in multiple sclerosis patients is related to spinal cord lesions. Mult. Scler. Relat. Disord. 2017, 12, 54–58. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Zecca, C.; Manconi, M.; Fulda, S.; Gobbi, C. Restless Legs Syndrome in Multiple Sclerosis. CNS Neurol. Disord.—Drug Targets 2012, 11, 1061–1069. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Cederberg, K.L.J.; Jeng, B.; Sasaki, J.E.; Braley, T.J.; Walters, A.S.; Motl, R.W. Restless legs syndrome and health-related quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis. J. Sleep Res. 2020, 29, e12880. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Ozdogar, A.T.; Kalron, A. Restless legs syndrome in people with multiple sclerosis: An updated systematic review and meta-analyses. Mult. Scler. Relat. Disord. 2021, 56, 103275. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Guo, S.; Diep, D.; Plongthongkum, N.; Fung, H.L.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, K. Identification of methylation haplotype blocks aids in deconvolution of heterogeneous tissue samples and tumor tissue-of-origin mapping from plasma DNA. Nat. Genet. 2017, 49, 635–642. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Irkec, C.; Vurallı, D.; Karacay Ozkalaycı, S. Restless Legs Syndrome as the Initial Presentation of Multiple Sclerosis. Case Rep. Med. 2013, 2013, 290719. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Italian REMS Study Group; Manconi, M.; Ferini-Strambi, L.; Filippi, M.; Bonanni, E.; Iudice, A.; Murri, L.; Gigli, G.L.; Fratticci, L.; Merlino, G.; et al. Multicenter case-control study on restless legs syndrome in multiple sclerosis: The REMS study. Sleep 2008, 31, 944–952. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Groppa, S.; Gonzalez-Escamilla, G.; Eshaghi, A.; Meuth, S.G.; Ciccarelli, O. Linking immune-mediated damage to neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis: Could network-based MRI help? Brain Commun. 2021, 3, fcab237. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Carotenuto, A.; Wilson, H.; Giordano, B.; Caminiti, S.P.; Chappell, Z.; Williams, S.C.R.; Hammers, A.; Silber, E.; Brex, P.; Politis, M. Impaired connectivity within neuromodulatory networks in multiple sclerosis and clinical implications. J. Neurol. 2020, 267, 2042–2053. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pérez-Cerdá, F.; Sánchez-Gómez, M.V.; Matute, C. The link of inflammation and neurodegeneration in progressive multiple sclerosis. Mult. Scler. Demyelinating Disord. 2016, 1, 9. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Singh, R.; Pandey, S. Movement Disorder in Demyelinating Disease: Tracing the Charcot’s Foot Print. Ann. Indian Acad. Neurol. 2022, 25, 821–831. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dogonowski, A.M.; Andersen, K.W.; Madsen, K.H.; Sørensen, P.S.; Paulson, O.B.; Blinkenberg, M.; Siebner, H.R. Multiple sclerosis impairs regional functional connectivity in the cerebellum. Neuroimage Clin. 2014, 4, 130–138. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bisecco, A.; Rocca, M.A.; Pagani, E.; Mancini, L.; Enzinger, C.; Gallo, A.; Vrenken, H.; Stromillo, M.L.; Copetti, M.; Thomas, D.; et al. Connectivity-based parcellation of the thalamus in multiple sclerosis and its implications for cognitive impairment: A multicenter study. Hum. Brain Mapp. 2015, 36, 2809–2825. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rieder, C.; Rebouças, R.; Ferreira, M. Holmes tremor in association with bilateral hypertrophic olivary degeneration and palatal tremor: Chronological considerations. Case report. Arq. de Neuro-Psiquiatr. 2003, 61, 473–477. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Joutsa, J.; Shih, L.C.; Fox, M.D. Mapping holmes tremor circuit using the human brain connectome. Ann. Neurol. 2019, 86, 812–820. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Lai, R.Y.; Tomishon, D.; Figueroa, K.P.; Pulst, S.M.; Perlman, S.; Wilmot, G.; Gomez, C.M.; Schmahmann, J.D.; Paulson, H.; Shakkottai, V.G.; et al. Tremor in the Degenerative Cerebellum: Towards the Understanding of Brain Circuitry for Tremor. Cerebellum 2019, 18, 519–526. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Hallett, M. Neurophysiology of dystonia: The role of inhibition. Neurobiol. Dis. 2011, 42, 177–184. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Neychev, V.K.; Fan, X.; Mitev, V.I.; Hess, E.J.; Jinnah, H.A. The basal ganglia and cerebellum interact in the expression of dystonic movement. Brain 2008, 131, 2499–2509. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jochim, A.; Li, Y.; Gora-Stahlberg, G.; Mantel, T.; Berndt, M.; Castrop, F.; Dresel, C.; Haslinger, B. Altered functional connectivity in blepharospasm/orofacial dystonia. Brain Behav. 2018, 8, e00894. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- de Seze, J.; Stojkovic, T.; Destée, M.; Destée, A.; Vermersch, P. Paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis as a presenting symptom of multiple sclerosis. J. Neurol. 2000, 247, 478–480. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ciampi, E.; Uribe-San-Martín, R.; Godoy-Santín, J.; Cruz, J.P.; Cárcamo-Rodríguez, C.; Juri, C. Secondary paroxysmal dyskinesia in multiple sclerosis: Clinical–radiological features and treatment. Case report of seven patients. Mult. Scler. J. 2017, 23, 1791–1795. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ostermann, P.O.; Westerberg, C.E. Paroxysmal attacks in multiple sclerosis. Brain 1975, 98, 189–202. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mehanna, R.; Jankovic, J. Movement disorders in cerebrovascular disease. Lancet Neurol. 2013, 12, 597–608. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kin, S.; Taniwaki, T.; Shigeto, H.; Nomura, T.; Ohyagi, Y. A case of adult-onset Sydenham chorea accompanied with psychiatric symptoms. No Shinkei=Brain Nerve 2006, 58, 155–159. [Google Scholar]
- Taff, I.; Sabato, U.C.; Lehrer, G. Choreoathetosis in multiple sclerosis. Clin. Neurol. Neurosurg. 1985, 87, 41–43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Raisa, N.; Munir, B.; Rianawati, S. Spinal myoclonus in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 2021, 36, S118. [Google Scholar]
- Delgado, S.; Baez, S.; Singer, C.; Sengun, C.; Sheremata, W.A.; Papapetropoulos, S. Parkinsonism/dystonia syndrome secondary to multiple sclerosis with anti-basal-ganglia antibodies. Mov. Disord. Off. J. Mov. Disord. Soc. 2009, 24, 309–311. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Evangelou, N.; Konz, D.; Esiri, M.M.; Smith, S.; Palace, J.; Matthews, P.M. Regional axonal loss in the corpus callosum correlates with cerebral white matter lesion volume and distribution in multiple sclerosis. Brain 2000, 123, 1845–1849. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Papadopoulos, D.; Ewans, L.; Pham-Dinh, D.; Knott, J.; Reynolds, R. Upregulation of alpha-synuclein in neurons and glia in inflammatory demyelinating disease. Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 2006, 31, 597–612. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Witte, M.E.; Bol, J.G.; Gerritsen, W.H.; van der Valk, P.; Drukarch, B.; van Horssen, J.; Wilhelmus, M.M. Parkinson’s disease-associated parkin colocalizes with Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis brain lesions. Neurobiol. Dis. 2009, 36, 445–452. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Sünter, G.; Kilinç, Ö.; Berk, A.; Akçabey, S.; Saldüz, E.; Öztürkçü, H.; Günal, D.İ.; Agan, K. Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Spinal Cord Lesions. Noro Psikiyatr. Ars. 2020, 57, 299–302. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Baba, C.; Ozdogar, A.T.; Ozcelik, S.; Kaya, E.; Ozakbas, S. Relationship between presence of spinal cord lesion and restless legs syndrome in multiple sclerosis. Somatosens. Mot. Res. 2022, 39, 116–120. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Winkelman, J.W.; Berkowski, J.A.; DelRosso, L.M.; Koo, B.B.; Scharf, M.T.; Sharon, D.; Zak, R.S.; Kazmi, U.; Falck-Ytter, Y.; Shelgikar, A.V.; et al. Treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J. Clin. Sleep Med. 2025, 21, 137–152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Silber, M.H.; Buchfuhrer, M.J.; Earley, C.J.; Koo, B.B.; Manconi, M.; Winkelman, J.W. The Management of Restless Legs Syndrome: An Updated Algorithm. Mayo Clin. Proc. 2021, 96, 1921–1937. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ferré, S.; García-Borreguero, D.; Allen, R.P.; Earley, C.J. New Insights into the Neurobiology of Restless Legs Syndrome. Neuroscientist 2019, 25, 113–125. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tang, M.; Sun, Q.; Zhang, Y.; Li, H.; Wang, D.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Z. Circadian rhythm in restless legs syndrome. Front. Neurol. 2023, 14, 1105463. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bassetti, C.L.; Mauerhofer, D.; Gugger, M.; Mathis, J.; Hess, C.W. Restless legs syndrome: A clinical study of 55 patients. Eur. Neurol. 2001, 45, 67–74. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pichler, I.; Hicks, A.A.; Pramstaller, P.P. Restless legs syndrome: An update on genetics and future perspectives. Clin. Genet. 2008, 73, 297–305. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Anwar, M.M.; Heartshorne, R.; Alusi, S.H. Extrapyramidal Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Systematic Review. Sclerosis 2025, 3, 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/sclerosis3040042
Anwar MM, Heartshorne R, Alusi SH. Extrapyramidal Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Systematic Review. Sclerosis. 2025; 3(4):42. https://doi.org/10.3390/sclerosis3040042
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnwar, Mai M., Rosie Heartshorne, and Sundus H. Alusi. 2025. "Extrapyramidal Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Systematic Review" Sclerosis 3, no. 4: 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/sclerosis3040042
APA StyleAnwar, M. M., Heartshorne, R., & Alusi, S. H. (2025). Extrapyramidal Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Systematic Review. Sclerosis, 3(4), 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/sclerosis3040042

