Oscillatory head movements in cervical dystonia: Dystonia, tremor, or both?. Issue 6 (16th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaikh, Aasef G.; Zee, David S.; Jinnah, H. A.
• Is Part Of: Movement disorders. Volume 30:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 834
• Page End: 842
• Publication Date: 2015-04-16
• Subjects: Movement disorders -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.26231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3185

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Cervical dystonia is characterized by abnormal posturing of the head, often combined with tremor‐like oscillatory head movements. The nature and source of these oscillatory head movements is controversial, so they were quantified to delineate their characteristics and develop a hypothetical model for their genesis. A magnetic search coil system was used to measure head movements in 14 subjects with cervical dystonia. Two distinct types of oscillatory head movements were detected for most subjects, even when they were not clinically evident. One type had a relatively large amplitude and jerky irregular pattern, <bold>and</bold> the other had smaller amplitude with a more regular and sinusoidal pattern. The kinematic properties of these two types of oscillatory head movements were distinct, although both were often combined in the same subject. Both had features suggestive <bold>of</bold> a defect in a central neural integrator. The combination of different types of oscillatory head movements in cervical dystonia helps to clarify some of the current debates regarding whether they should be considered as manifestations of dystonia or tremor and provides novel insights into their potential pathogenesis. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society</p> </abstract>