Definition of Senile chorea

Senile chorea: A relatively mild and uncommon disorder that occurs in elderly adults and is characterized by choreic movements.

Chorea refers to rapid complex body movements that look well-coordinated and purposeful but are, in fact, involuntary. Chorea was thought suggestive of a grotesque dance. The term "chorea" is derived from the Greek word "choreia" for dancing (as is choreography).

Senile chorea is believed by some scientists to be caused by a different gene mutation than that responsible for Huntington chorea (Huntington disease).