title: Task-specific dystonia: pathophysiology and management.
abstract: Task-specific dystonia is a form of isolated focal dystonia with the peculiarity of being displayed only during performance of a specific skilled motor task. This distinctive feature makes task-specific dystonia a particularly mysterious and fascinating neurological condition. In this review, we cover phenomenology and its increasingly broad-spectrum risk factors for the disease, critically review pathophysiological theories and evaluate current therapeutic options. We conclude by highlighting the unique features of task-specific dystonia within the wider concept of dystonia. We emphasise the central contribution of environmental risk factors, and propose a model by which these triggers may impact on the motor control of skilled movement. By viewing task-specific dystonia through this new lens which considers the disorder a modifiable disorder of motor control, we are optimistic that research will yield novel therapeutic avenues for this highly motivated group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Sobell Department for Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadnicka
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kassavetis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, San Carlos Health Research Institute (IdISSC) Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pareés
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne Marthe
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Meppelink
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences, St George's University, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004421:Dystonia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020821:Dystonic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004777:Environment; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: DYSTONIA