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There are several types of movement disorders.
Ataxias are a group of degenerative disorders affecting the brain, brain stem or spinal cord that erode muscular coordination, causing weakness, atrophy and other problems depending on the tissues involved. The disorders are often inherited. There is no treatment.
Dystonia involves prolonged muscle contractions that can cause twisting and rhythmic, jerky movements or abnormal posture. General dystonia involves the entire body. Focal dystonias involve only one body location, most commonly the neck (spasmodic torticollis), eyelids (blepharospasm), lower face (Meige syndrome) or hand (writer's cramp or limb dystonia).
Essential tremor involves an uncontrolled shaking or trembling, usually of one or both hands or arms, that worsens when basic movements are attempted. Although emotionally distressing, the condition is usually benign and not a sign of more serious disease.
Huntington's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease caused by the deterioration of certain nerve cells in the brain. The condition is hereditary. Symptoms include a wide, prancing gait; hesitant speech; involuntary, jerky movements in the arms, neck, trunk and face; personality changes and intellectual deterioration. Onset is usually between ages 35 and 50.
Shy-Drager syndrome is the distinctive disorder in the catchall term multiple system atrophy. The syndrome is characterized by abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system that cause blood pressure to drop excessively when standing or sitting up, resulting in dizziness or momentary blackouts. Blood pressure tends to fluctuate up and down, causing severe headaches. Other symptoms may include Parkinson's-like slow movements and mild tremors, or balance problems, generalized weakness, double vision, speech impairment and sensory changes.
Myoclonus is a twitching or intermittent spasm of a muscle or group of muscles.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the area of the brain controlling muscle movement. Resulting symptoms include a tremor or shaking at rest, slowed movement, shuffling gait, and stiff or rigid limbs on one or both sides of the body.
Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare brain disorder that causes serious and permanent problems with gait and balance control. Symptoms include frequent falls and balance problems, an inability to aim the eyes properly and changes in mood and behavior. Symptoms vary widely among patients. It is sometimes misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease.
Restless legs syndrome is a deep-seated, creepy, crawly feeling in the legs at rest, which is often relieved by movement. Symptoms are usually worse in the evening and can result in insomnia. Medical treatments are available.
Rett Syndrome is a progressive neurological disorder that causes reduced muscle tone, autistic-like behavior, wringing and waving hand movements, diminished ability to express feelings, avoidance of eye contact, a lag in brain and head growth, gait abnormalities and seizures. Loss of muscle tone is usually the first symptom. It affects about one in every 10,000 to 15,000 baby girls. Symptoms usually appear between 6 and 18 months.
Spasticity involves increased muscle contractions causing stiff and awkward movement due to stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord or brain injury.
Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements such as grimacing, lip smacking, eye blinking or rapid leg and arm movements. It is caused by long-term use of neuroleptic drugs.
Tourette syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics. Symptoms generally appear before age 18.
Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder that causes excessive amounts of copper to accumulate in the body. Symptoms begin appearing between the ages of 6 and 40. Liver disease is a consequence in many patients. In others, the first symptoms are neurological or psychiatric and can include tremor, rigidity, personality changes or grossly inappropriate behavior.
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