Protocol Number: 01-N-0188

Title:

Neurophysiological Studies of Focal and Generalized Forms of Dystonia using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Number:

01-N-0188

Summary:

This study will use transcranial magnetic stimulation to examine how the brain controls muscle movement in focal and generalized types of dystonia. Dystonia is a movement disorder in which involuntary muscle contractions cause uncontrolled twisting or abnormal postures. Dystonia may be focal, involving just one region of the body, such as the hand, neck or face. Focal dystonia usually begins in adulthood. Generalized dystonia, on the other hand, generally begins in childhood or adolescence. Symptoms begin in one area and then become more widespread.

Healthy normal volunteers and patients with focal or generalized dystonia 8 years of age and older may be eligible for this study. First-degree relatives of patients will also be enrolled.

In transcranial magnetic stimulation, an insulated wire coil is placed on the subject's scalp and brief electrical currents are passed through the coil, creating magnetic pulses that pass into the brain. These pulses generate very small electrical currents in the cortex-the outer part of the brain-briefly disrupting the function of the brain cells in the stimulated area. The stimulation may cause muscle twitching or tingling in the scalp, face and limbs. During the stimulation, the subject will be asked to either keep the hand relaxed or to slightly tense certain muscles in the hand or arm. The test will last about 1.5 hours.

The cause of dystonia is unknown. It is hoped that a comparison of brain activity in normal volunteers, patients and their relatives not affected by dystonia will help scientists learn why some people develop dystonic movements.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: No

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA - Healthy Volunteers:

Healthy Volunteers entered into the study must be free of serious somatic disease as determined by a standard physical and neurological examination.

INCLUSION CRITERIA - Patients:

For patients, the only selection criteria are the presence of primary dystonia, either focal or generalized (DYT1).

Children aged 8 years or older will be included. Gender, ethnic origin and race will not be biased for inclusion.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

The exclusion criteria for this study include subjects who have a pacemaker, an implanted medication pump, a metal plate in the skull, metal objects inside the eye or skull (for example, after brain surgery or a shrapnel wound) or any recent (less than 3 months) brain lesions.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Intracortical Inhibition

Dystonia

Recruitment Keywords:

Dystonia

Focal Dystonia

Dystonic Disorder

DYTI Dystonia

Movement Disorder

Generalized Dystonia

Healthy Control

Normal Volunteer

Conditions:

Dystonic Disorder

Healthy

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

The neurophysiology of dystonia

Epidemiology of dystonia in Rochester, Minnesota

Concept and classification of dystonia

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.

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Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 10/23/2004