title: Sensory-motor integration in focal dystonia.
abstract: Traditional definitions of focal dystonia point to its motor component, mainly affecting planning and execution of voluntary movements. However, focal dystonia is tightly linked also to sensory dysfunction. Accurate motor control requires an optimal processing of afferent inputs from different sensory systems, in particular visual and somatosensory (e.g., touch and proprioception). Several experimental studies indicate that sensory-motor integration - the process through which sensory information is used to plan, execute, and monitor movements - is impaired in focal dystonia. The neural degenerations associated with these alterations affect not only the basal ganglia-thalamic-frontal cortex loop, but also the parietal cortex and cerebellum. The present review outlines the experimental studies describing impaired sensory-motor integration in focal dystonia, establishes their relationship with changes in specific neural mechanisms, and provides new insight towards the implementation of novel intervention protocols. Based on the reviewed state-of-the-art evidence, the theoretical framework summarized in the present article will not only result in a better understanding of the pathophysiology of dystonia, but it will also lead to the development of new rehabilitation strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Centro Polifunzionale di Scienze Motorie, University of Genoa, 16132 genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Avanzino
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37131 Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tinazzi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Investigative Neurophysiology, Department of Radiology and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ionta
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37131 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: mirta.fiorio@univr.it.
authors.forename: Mirta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiorio
mesh_terms: D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Focal dystonia; Proprioception; Sensory-motor integration; Transcranial magnetic stimulation