Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Neurological Disorders > Movement Disorders > Dystonia (1)
Dystonia (literally, "abnormal muscle tone") is a generic term used to describe a neurological movement disorder involving involuntary, sustained muscle contractions. Dystonia may affect muscles throughout the body (generalised), in certain parts of the body (segmental), or may be confined to particular muscles or muscle groups (focal).
Causes
Primary dystonia is caused by a pathology of the central nervous system, likely originating in those parts of the brain concerned with motor function, such as the basal ganglia. The precise cause of primary dystonia is unknown. In many cases it probably involves some genetic predisposition towards the disorder combined with environmental conditions.
Secondary dystonia refers to dystonia brought on by some identified cause, usually involving brain damage or by some unidentified cause such as chemical imbalance. Some cases of (particularly focal) dystonia are brought on after trauma, are induced by certain drugs (tardive dystonia), or may be the result of diseases of the nervous system such as Wilson's disease.
More on [ Dystonia ]
Basal Ganglia
Rare Disorders :: Conditions and Diseases
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Abstracts: Genetics of Dystonia - Idiopathic torsion dystonia, by Laurie Ozelius, Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Ma. 2nd Workshop Neurogenetics in Germany, Munich, October 19-21, 1995.
Meta Description: [ documents in bioscience and medicine ]
ADDER - Dystonia Research - Information about the organization which promotes medical and patient education about movement disorders. Includes a newsletter, publications, definitions and links.
Care4Dystonia - Information about dystonia, treatment, toxin use, medical care and alternative therapies. Newsletter.
Dopa Responsive Dystonia Central - Information and support for people and families afflicted with this disorder, GTP Cyclohydrolase Deficiency and Segawa's Dystonia.
Meta Description: [ Information and links concerning Dopa-Responsive Dystonia (aka Segawa's Disease) ]
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation - Canadian Foundation supporting research, awareness and support related to dystonia.
Meta Description: [ Home page of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. Links to pages on all aspects of the movement disorder dystonia (blepharospasm, spasmodic torticollis, spasmodic dysphonia, writer's cramp). ]
Dystonia, Inc - Information about spasmodic torticollis and dystonia.
Dystonias - Information page compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Meta Description: [ Dystonias information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). ]
IPL Ready Reference Collection - Dystonia - Dystonia reference.
Medicine Net - A description of dystonia musculorum deformans.
Meta Description: [ Online Medical Dictionary and glossary with medical definitions ]
NORD: Dystonia - Offers synonyms, a general discussion and further resources.
Meta Description: [ National Organization for Rare Disorders is dedicated to helping people with rare, orphan diseases. Rarediseases.org contains information on the prevention, treatment and cure of rare diseases. ]
Paroxysmal Choreoathetosis Disease - Information compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Condition, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis.
Meta Description: [ Paroxysmal choreoathetosis information page compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). ]
Spasmodic Dysphonia - Patient Information - Information about the voice disorder spasmodic dysphonia. Includes a listing and review of other sites.
Meta Description: [ Therapy for spasmodic dysphonia by James P. Thomas, MD ]
The CaF Directory - Dystonia - Information about dystonia from the Contact a Family charity, UK.
Meta Description: [ Contact a Family is a UK charity for families with disabled children. We offer information on specific conditions and rare disorders. ]
The Dystonia Society (UK) - UK charity providing information and support for people with dystonia.
Meta Description: [ The Dystonia Societyis a registered charity in London UK. Their website contains information about this neurological movement disorder including cervical dystonia (also known as torticollis), blepharospasm, oromandibular dystonia and hemifacial spasm. ]
The Family Village - Dystonia - Information, contacts, chat rooms, links related to dystonia.
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UCLA Neurosurgery - An article explaining what dystonia musculorum deformans is, the symptoms, causes and treatment.
We Move - Dystonia - Information for Patients - Dystonia: information for patients and families.
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