title: The pathophysiology of focal hand dystonia.
abstract: NARRATIVE REVIEW: Focal hand dystonia is a disabling movement disorder, often task specific, that leads to impaired hand use. In addition to a genetic predisposition, environmental risk factors including repetitive use and musculoskeletal constraints are contributory. Although the underlying cause is unknown, recent studies have identified several key mechanisms that may play a part in its genesis. Failure of inhibition, abnormal sensorimotor integration, and maladaptive plasticity seem to be important. Understanding the underlying physiology may lead to the design of novel therapies.
authors.affiliation: Human Motor Control Section, NINDS/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1428, USA. linpe@ninds.nih.gov
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallett
mesh_terms: D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology