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Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder which can affect men and women at any age but is more common in those over 40. In the UK, about 40,000 people have a diagnosis of dystonia although this may not reflect the true number of sufferers. Although dystonia can affect a single part of the body several different areas may be affected at once. Developing in the movement centres of the brain, the disease has many types of manifestations. Characteristic symptoms are involuntary muscle contractions which trigger abnormal postures or movements.

Classification of dystonia

Dystonia is usually classified according to the following criteria:

• Age of onset
  
  
• Parts of the body affected
  
  
• Aetiology

Classification according to the parts of the body affected differentiates between focal, segmental, multifocal and generalised dystonia and hemi-dystonia. Focal and segmental dystonia represent over 80% of dystonias manifesting in adulthood. They affect mainly the muscles of the head, neck and extremities.

The causes of dystonia are not completely understood, although they are believed to be a disturbance of the basal ganglion region of the brain. Dystonia may be caused by damage to the basal ganglia and there is evidence of a genetic cause in some patients.

Useful Links:

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www.dystonia.org.uk