Movement-Related Brain Networks Involved in Hand Dystonia

NCT00137384 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 05022805-N-0228
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will use various methods to measure the activity of the motor cortex (the part of the brain that controls movements) in order to learn more about focal hand dystonia. Patients with dystonia have muscle spasms that cause uncontrolled twisting and repetitive movement or abnormal postures. In focal dystonia, just one part of the body, such as the hand, neck or face, is involved. Patients with focal hand dystonia and healthy normal volunteers between 18 and 65 years of age may be eligible for this study. Each candidate is screened with a medical history, physical examination and questionnaire. Participants undergo the following procedures: Finger Movement Tasks Subjects perform two finger movement tasks. In the first part of the study, they move their index finger repetitively from side to side at 10-second intervals for a total of 200 movements in four blocks of 50 at a time. In the second part of the study, subjects touch their thumb to the other four fingers in sequence from 1, 2, 3 and 4, while a metronome beats 2 times per second to help time the movements. This sequence is repeated for a total of 200 movements in four blocks of 50 at a time. Electroencephalography This test records brain waves. Electrodes (metal discs) are placed on the scalp with an electrode cap, a paste or a glue-like substance. The spaces between the electrodes and the scalp are filled with a gel that conducts electrical activity. Brain waves are recorded while the subject performs a finger movement task, as described above. Magnetoencephalography MEG records magnetic field changes produced by brain activity. During the test, the subjects are seated in the MEG recording room and a cone containing magnetic field detectors is lowered onto their head. The recording may be made while the subject performs a finger task. Electromyography Electromyography (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles. This study uses surface EMG, in which small metal disks filled with a conductive gel are taped to the skin on the finger. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce images of body tissues and organs. The patient lies on a table that can slide in and out of the scanner (a narrow metal cylinder), wearing earplugs to muffle loud knocking and thumping sounds that occur during the scanning. Most scans last between 45 and 90 minutes. Subjects may be asked to lie still for up to 30 minutes at a time, and can communicate with the MRI staff at all times during the procedure. Questionnaire This questionnaire is designed to detect any sources of discomfort the subject may have experienced during the study.

Conditions

Movement Disorder; Focal Dystonia

Keywords

Magnetoencephalogram; Functional Connectivity; Electroencephalogram (EEG); Focal Hand Dystonia; Spectral Analysis; Healthy Volunteer; HV

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Normal subjects: Healthy volunteers ages 18 and older who consent to participate in the study
• Patients ages 18 and older diagnosed with focal hand dystonia unilateral focal hand dystonia who consent to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Normal subjects: abnormal neurologic exam or history of previous neurological disease that might affect the functioning of the hands
• Dystonia patients: presence of a second neurologic disease or condition that might affect the functioning of the hands; abnormal neurologic findings on exam not related to the focal hand dystonia that might affect the functioning of the hands; the use of Botulinum toxin within 3 months prior to study participation
• For MRI studies, patients with metallic implants will be excluded to avoid potential risks from this procedure
• For MRI studies, women who are pregnant are excluded from this part of the protocol. All women of childbearing potential will have a pregnancy test performed prior to MRI studies, which must be negative, before proceeding.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Abbruzzese G, Berardelli A. Sensorimotor integration in movement disorders. Mov Disord. 2003 Mar;18(3):231-240. doi: 10.1002/mds.10327.

  PMID: 12621626 BACKGROUND

• Abbruzzese G, Marchese R, Buccolieri A, Gasparetto B, Trompetto C. Abnormalities of sensorimotor integration in focal dystonia: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. Brain. 2001 Mar;124(Pt 3):537-45. doi: 10.1093/brain/124.3.537.

  PMID: 11222454 BACKGROUND

• Andres FG, Gerloff C. Coherence of sequential movements and motor learning. J Clin Neurophysiol. 1999 Nov;16(6):520-7. doi: 10.1097/00004691-199911000-00004.

  PMID: 10600020 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Movement Disorders; Dystonic Disorders; Dystonia, Focal, Task-Specific

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Mark Hallett, M.D.

  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: NIH
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2005
• First Posted: August 29, 2005
• Study Start: August 25, 2005
• Study Completion: April 27, 2018
• Last Updated: May 1, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-04-27

Locations

US (1)