INTRODUCTION Our goal was to investigate the cortical thickness and subcortical volume in subjects with craniocervical dystonia and its subgroups. METHODS We studied 49 subjects, 17 with cervical dystonia, 18 with blepharospasm or oromandibular dystonia, and 79 healthy controls. We performed a whole group analysis, followed by a subgroup analysis. We used Freesurfer software to measure cortic...

Dystonia in association with peripheral trauma is a well-described clinical syndrome. The syndrome goes by many names--"traumatic" dystonia, "fixed" dystonia, peripherally induced dystonia, or complex region pain syndrome (CRPS) dystonia. We reviewed the role of peripheral trauma in the development of dystonia, focusing on 4 subtypes--cervical dystonia, focal limb dystonia, CRPS dystonia, and p...

Any model for the physiology of dystonia must be able to explain how dystonia can be produced in various circumstances. Brain lesions can cause dystonia; responsible sites include the basal ganglia, brainstem, and thalamus, but the most common site is the putamen. Dystonia can be hereditary, and genetic linkage has been found for both generalized and focal dystonia. The only genetic dystonia fo...

To review the literature on primary dystonia and dystonia plus and to provide evidence-based recommendations. Primary dystonia and dystonia plus are chronic and often disabling conditions with a widespread spectrum mainly in young people. Computerized MEDLINE and EMBASE literature reviews (1966-1967 February 2005) were conducted. The Cochrane Library was searched for relevant citations. Diagnos...

BACKGROUND Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting movements and abnormal postures. Primary dystonia is the most common form and is thought to be a multifactorial condition in which one or more genes combine with environmental factors to reach disease. METHODS We reviewed controlled studies on possible environmental risk factors for...

Background: Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting movements and abnormal postures. Primary dystonia is the most common form and is thought to be a multifactorial condition in which one or more genes combine with environmental factors to reach disease. Methods: We reviewed controlled studies on possible environmental risk factors for...

The majority of studies investigating the molecular pathogenesis and cell biology underlying dystonia have been performed in individuals with primary dystonia. This includes monogenic forms such as DYT1and DYT6 dystonia, and primary focal dystonia which is likely to be multifactorial in origin. In recent years there has been renewed interest in non-primary forms of dystonia including the dyston...

BACKGROUND Dystonia and tremor share many commonalities. Isolated tremor is part of the phenomenological spectrum of isolated dystonia and of essential tremor. The occurrence of subtle features of dystonia may allow one to differentiate dystonic tremor from essential tremor. Diagnostic uncertainty is enhanced when no features of dystonia are found in patients with a tremor syndrome, raising the...

OBJECTIVES to provide a revised version of earlier guidelines published in 2006. BACKGROUND primary dystonias are chronic and often disabling conditions with a widespread spectrum mainly in young people. DIAGNOSIS primary dystonias are classified as pure dystonia, dystonia plus or paroxysmal dystonia syndromes. Assessment should be performed using a validated rating scale for dystonia. Gene...

Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome is a disorder characterized by dystonia, parkinsonism, and iron accumulation in the brain. The disease is caused by mutations in gene encoding pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) and patients have pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. We present an 8-year-old boy with progressive muscle dystonia, neuroregression, frequent fall and multiple injur...