Tina

What are the causes of dystonia?Dystonia is a movement disorder. Although the causes of dystonia are not fully known it is currently thought that the condition results from a malfunction in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia.The basal ganglia are structures situated deep in the brain. They help to regulate voluntary and involuntary movement by controlling muscle contractions in the body.The problem may mainly lie in an area of the basal ganglia called the globus pallidus. If this area of the brain is not functioning correctly then the control of another structure in the brain called the thalamus is affected.The thalamus controls the planning and execution of movement and sends nerves to muscles via the spinal cord. The end result is that muscle co-ordination is not regulated properly. The wrong muscles will contract ..ment or all muscles will contract unnecessarily causing abnormal movement and posture.Muscles positioned around joints usually work in pairs opposite each other, eg the biceps and triceps muscles of the upper arm bend or straighten the elbow respectively. Usually if one muscle of a pair is contracted the other is relaxed. However, in dystonia both muscles in the pair contract at the same time leading to the abnormal movement or posture.It is thought that in some cases there may be a chemical imbalance or 'wiring fault' in the basal ganglia. Chemical transmitters, such as dopamine, convey messages from one nerve cell to another within the basal ganglia. If this balance is upset then incorrect signals will be sent out resulting in loss of regulation of co-ordinated movements.
Best graphics, layouts, and more for your profiles! Click Here!
Resources WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders) 204 West 84th Street New York, NY 10024 USA Tel: 2128758312 Fax: 2128758389 Email: [email protected] Internet: http://www.wemove.orgDystonia Medical Research Foundation 1 East Wacker Drive Suite 2430 Chicago, IL 60601-1905 United States Tel: 3127550198 Fax: 3128030138 Tel: 8003773978 Email: [email protected] Internet: http://www.dystonia-foundation.orgNational Spasmodic Torticollis Association 9920 Talbert Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Tel: (714)378-7837 Fax: (714)378-7830 Tel: (800)487-8385 Email: [email protected] Internet: http://www.torticollis.orgNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) 31 Center Drive 8A07 Bethesda, MD 20892-2540 Tel: (301)496-5751 Fax: (301)402-2186 Tel: (800)352-9424 Email: [email protected] Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/Spasmodic Torticollis Dystonia, Inc PO Box 28 Mukwonago, WI 53149 Tel: (262)560-9534 Fax: (262)560-9535 Tel: (888)445-4588 Email: [email protected] Internet: http://www.spasmodictorticollis.org

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:29-31
Courtesy of MsTags.com
Courtesy of MsTags.com
Courtesy of MsTags.com
Courtesy of MsTags.com
Courtesy of MsTags.com
Courtesy of MsTags.com
Courtesy of MsTags.com
Courtesy of MsTags.com