title: Extreme task specificity in writer's cramp.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Focal hand dystonia may be task specific, as is the case with writer's cramp. In early stages, task specificity can be so specific that it may be mistaken for a psychogenic movement disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe 4 patients who showed extreme task specificity in writer's cramp. They initially only had problems writing either a single letter or number. Although they were largely thought to be psychogenic, they progressed to typical writer's cramp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early recognition of this condition may provide an opportunity for early initiation of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. shamime@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: Ejaz A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Shamim
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Linda H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Scheider
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Savitt
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Jinnah
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallett
mesh_terms: D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006236:Handwriting; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009120:Muscle Cramp; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity