title: Dystonia and Paroxysmal Dyskinesias: Under-Recognized Movement Disorders in Domestic Animals? A Comparison with Human Dystonia/Paroxysmal Dyskinesias.
abstract: Dystonia is defined as a neurological syndrome characterized by involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing twisting, often repetitive movements, and postures. Paroxysmal dyskinesias are episodic movement disorders encompassing dystonia, chorea, athetosis, and ballism in conscious individuals. Several decades of research have enhanced the understanding of the etiology of human dystonia and dyskinesias that are associated with dystonia, but the pathophysiology remains largely unknown. The spontaneous occurrence of hereditary dystonia and paroxysmal dyskinesia is well documented in rodents used as animal models in basic dystonia research. Several hyperkinetic movement disorders, described in dogs, horses and cattle, show similarities to these human movement disorders. Although dystonia is regarded as the third most common movement disorder in humans, it is often misdiagnosed because of the heterogeneity of etiology and clinical presentation. Since these conditions are poorly known in veterinary practice, their prevalence may be underestimated in veterinary medicine. In order to attract attention to these movement disorders, i.e., dystonia and paroxysmal dyskinesias associated with dystonia, and to enhance interest in translational research, this review gives a brief overview of the current literature regarding dystonia/paroxysmal dyskinesia in humans and summarizes similar hereditary movement disorders reported in domestic animals.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology, University of Leipzig , Leipzig , Germany.
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Free University Berlin , Berlin , Germany.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamann
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Vivantes Hospital Spandau and Humboldt Hospital , Berlin , Germany ; Department of Neurology, Vivantes Hospital Spandau and Humboldt Hospital , Berlin , Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wissel
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , UK.
authors.forename: Holger A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Volk
keywords: domestic animals; dyskinesia; dystonia; hyperkinetic movement disorder; veterinary