Introduction The terminology for functional movement disorders (FMDs) has changed over the years. Originally called hysteria, Freud called them conversion disorders based on his view of the cause. In recent years, the term psychogenic movement disorder (PMD) was most common,…
Introduction Abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesias) usually are caused by brain damage or dysfunction. Occasionally, however, lesions of the spinal cord, spinal roots, cervical or lumbar plexus, or even peripheral nerves appear to cause a variety of dyskinesias ( Table 26.1…
Restless legs syndrome and periodic movements of sleep Clinical features The term “restless legs” has been applied to a number of conditions. originally applied this term to unpleasant crawling sensations in the legs, particularly when sitting and relaxing in the…
Introduction Paroxysmal dyskinesia refers to a group of diverse disorders that have as a salient clinical feature the occurrence of episodes of abnormal movements lasting variable periods of time that may or may not be triggered by a stimulus. The…
Acknowledgment The contribution of Fidel Baizabal-Carvallo, MD, the coauthor of the recent review of the topic (Reproduced with permission from Baizabal-Carvallo JF, Jankovic J. Autoimmune and paraneoplastic movement disorders: An update. J Neurol Sci. 2018;385:175–184) is acknowledged with appreciation. References…
Wilson disease Wilson disease is an inborn error of copper metabolism manifested by hepatic cirrhosis and damage to the basal ganglia, brainstem, and other subcortical and cortical regions ( ). Wilson disease is one of the few curable movement disorders,…
Introduction Muscle stiffness may be the presenting symptom in many disorders of the motor nervous system and muscles ( Table 21.1 ). Spasticity is the most common, and the others must be distinguished from it. In this chapter, therefore, spasticity…
Introduction Ataxia is the type of clumsiness produced by dysfunction of the cerebellum or cerebellar pathways. The pathophysiology of the signs and symptoms has been detailed in the earlier chapter on motor control ( Chapter 2 ) and have been…
Introduction Gait is a fundamental human skill. It permits movement from place to place, and, as anthropologists are fond of pointing out, that humans do it on two legs frees up the arms for other skilled tasks. The ability to…
Introduction Literally, myoclonus means “a quick movement of muscle.” Sudden, brief jerks may be caused not only by active muscle contractions, positive myoclonus, but also by sudden, brief lapses of muscle contraction in active postural muscles, negative myoclonus or asterixis…