Abnormal involuntary movements

1. Abnormal Involuntary Movements

Abnormal involuntary movements are a group of disorders characterized by movements that occur without conscious control. These movements can be caused by a variety of neurological conditions and can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and potential treatments for these movements is a key area of research in neurology and psychiatry.

Types of Abnormal Involuntary Movements

Abnormal involuntary movements can be classified into several types, each with distinct characteristics:

• **Tremor**: A rhythmic, oscillatory movement of a body part, often seen in conditions such as Parkinson's disease.
• **Chorea**: Irregular, unpredictable movements that can affect any part of the body, commonly associated with Huntington's disease.
• **Dystonia**: Sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements or postures.
• **Myoclonus**: Sudden, brief, involuntary jerks of a muscle or group of muscles.
• **Tics**: Sudden, repetitive, non-rhythmic movements or sounds, often seen in Tourette syndrome.
• **Athetosis**: Slow, writhing movements, typically affecting the hands and feet.

Causes

The causes of abnormal involuntary movements are diverse and can include:

• **Genetic disorders**: Such as Huntington's disease and Wilson's disease.
• **Neurodegenerative diseases**: Including Parkinson's disease and Multiple system atrophy.
• **Metabolic disorders**: Such as hyperthyroidism or hypocalcemia.
• **Drug-induced**: Certain medications, particularly antipsychotics, can cause movements like tardive dyskinesia.
• **Infections**: Such as Sydenham's chorea following a streptococcal infection.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing abnormal involuntary movements involves a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including:

• **Medical history**: To identify any underlying conditions or medications that may contribute to the movements.
• **Neurological examination**: To assess the type and pattern of movements.
• **Laboratory tests**: To rule out metabolic or infectious causes.
• **Imaging studies**: Such as MRI or CT scan to identify structural brain abnormalities.

Treatment

Treatment of abnormal involuntary movements depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• **Medications**: Such as dopamine agonists for Parkinson's disease or anticholinergics for dystonia.
• **Botulinum toxin injections**: For focal dystonias.
• **Deep brain stimulation**: For severe cases of Parkinson's disease or dystonia.
• **Behavioral therapy**: Particularly for tics and Tourette syndrome.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with abnormal involuntary movements varies widely depending on the underlying cause and the effectiveness of treatment. Some conditions, like tardive dyskinesia, may improve with medication changes, while others, like Huntington's disease, are progressive.

Also see

• Movement disorders
• Parkinsonism
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Basal ganglia