Parkinson's Disease Health Center

Font Size

Dystonia

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Dystonia is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Torsion Dystonia

Disorder Subdivisions

Generalized Dystonia
Primary Dystonia
Early-onset Dystonia
Childhood-onset Dystonia
Dopa-responsive Dystonia (DRD)
Focal Dystonia
Blepharospasm (Benign Essential Blepharospasm[BEB])
Cervical Dystonia (Spasmodic Torticollis[ST])
Oromandibular Dystonia
Writer’s Cramp
Paroxysmal Dystonia
Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dystonia (PKD)
Paroxysmal Dystonia Choreathetosis
Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia)
Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD)
X-Linked Dystonia-parkinsonism
Late-onset Dystonia
Secondary Dystonia
Tardive Dyskinesia
Tardive Dystonia
Myoclonic Dystonia
Rapid-onset Dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP)
Segmental Dystonia

General Discussion

Dystonia is a group of movement disorders that vary in their symptoms, causes, progression, and treatments. This group of neurological conditions is generally characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that force the body into abnormal, sometimes painful, movements and positions (postures).

Dystonia may be focal (affecting an isolated body part), segmental (affecting adjacent body areas, or generalized (affecting many major muscle groups simultaneously). There are many different causes for dystonia. Genetic as well as non-genetic factors contribute to all forms of dystonia. The most characteristic finding associated with dystonia is twisting, repetitive movements that affect the neck, torso, limbs, eyes, face, vocal chords, and/or a combination of these muscle groups.
.

Resources

WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
204 West 84th Street
New York, NY 10024
USA
Tel: 2128758312
Fax: 2128758389
Email: wemove@wemove.org
Internet: http://www.wemove.org

National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association
300 Park Boulevard
Suite 350
Itasca, IL 60143
Fax: (630)250-4505
Tel: (800)795-6732
Email: nsda@dysphonia.org
Internet: http://www.dysphonia.org

Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
1 East Wacker Drive
Suite 2430
Chicago, IL 60601-1905
United States
Tel: 3127550198
Fax: 3128030138
Tel: 8003773978
Email: dystonia@dystonia-foundation.org
Internet: http://www.dystonia-foundation.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

Dystonia Society
The Dystonia Society
46-47 Britton Street
London, Intl EC1M 5UJ
United Kingdom
Tel: 020 7490 5671
Fax: 020 7490 5672
Email: admin@dystonia.org.uk
Internet: http://www.dystonia.org.uk

Organization For Anti-Convulsant Syndrome
PO Box 772
Pilling
Preston, Intl PR3 6WW
UK
Tel: 01253 790000
Fax: 01253 790000
Email: Janet.oacs@btinternet.com
Internet: http://www.oacs-uk.co.uk/

Spasmodic Torticollis Dystonia, Inc
PO Box 28
Mukwonago, WI 53149
Tel: (262)560-9534
Fax: (262)560-9535
Tel: (888)445-4588
Email: info@spasmodictorticollis.org
Internet: http://www.spasmodictorticollis.org

American Association of Neurological Surgeons
5550 Meadowbrook Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-3852
Tel: (847)378-0500
Fax: (847)378-0600
Tel: (888)566-2267
Email: info@aans.org
Internet: http://www.NeurosurgeryToday.org and http://www.AANS.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 2/4/2008
Copyright 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: February 04, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.