Brain Changes in Blepharospasm

NCT00487383 | Terminated

• 2 other identifiers: 07016507-N-0165
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 47
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will examine the role of certain areas of the brain in blepharospasm, a type of dystonia (abnormality of movement and muscle tone) that causes unwanted or uncontrollable blinking or closing of the eyelids. The study will compare brain activity in healthy volunteers and in people with blepharospasm to find differences in the brain that may lead to better treatments for dystonia. Healthy volunteers and people with blepharospasm who are 18 years of age and older may be eligible for this study. All candidates are screened with a medical history. People with blepharospasm also have a physical examination and blepharospasm rating. Participants undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electromyography (EMG) in two 4-hour sessions, separated by 1 to 7 days. TMS A wire coil is held on the subject s scalp. A brief electrical current is passed through the coil, creating a magnetic pulse that stimulates the brain. The subject hears a click and may feel a pulling sensation on the skin under the coil. There may be a twitch in muscles of the face, arm or leg. During the stimulation, subjects may be asked to tense certain muscles slightly or perform other simple actions. Repetitive TMS involves repeated magnetic pulses delivered in short bursts of impulses. Subjects receive 60 pulses per minute over 15 minutes. EMG Surface EMG is done during TMS to measure the electrical activity of muscles. For this test, electrodes (small metal disks) are filled with a conductive gel and taped to the skin of the face.

Conditions

Dystonia; Focal Dystonia; Cerebellar Disease

Keywords

Cerebellum; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS); Blepharospasm; DYT-1 Generalized Dystonia; Focal Dystonia; Dystonia; Healthy Volunteer; HV

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• PATIENTS:
• Age 18 years or older
• Normal findings in the medical history, physical and neurological examination, except for dystonia
• HEALTHY CONTROLS:
• Age 18 years or older
• Absence of dystonia or other neurological disorder with any effect on the motor or sensory systems

You may not qualify if:

• Any of the following will exclude patients and controls from the study:
• Secondary forms of dystonia, including tardive dyskinesia
• History of seizure disorder
• Symptoms of a clinically relevant illness in the 2 weeks before the first study day, including history of any other neurological disorders or conditions requiring the use of anti-depressants, neuroleptic medications, anti-seizure medications, anticholinergic drugs, and muscle relaxants
• Taking the following medications: antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antiparkinson, hypnotics, stimulants, and/or antihistamines
• History of neuroleptic medications
• Presence of pacemaker, implanted medical pump, metal plate or metal object in skull or eye
• Botulinum toxin injection within 3 months of starting the protocol
• Known hearing loss

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)

• Albanese A, Barnes MP, Bhatia KP, Fernandez-Alvarez E, Filippini G, Gasser T, Krauss JK, Newton A, Rektor I, Savoiardo M, Valls-Sole J. A systematic review on the diagnosis and treatment of primary (idiopathic) dystonia and dystonia plus syndromes: report of an EFNS/MDS-ES Task Force. Eur J Neurol. 2006 May;13(5):433-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2006.01537.x.

  PMID: 16722965 BACKGROUND

• Aramideh M, Koelman JH, Speelman JD, Ongerboer de Visser B. Eyelid movement disorders and electromyography. Lancet. 2001 Mar 10;357(9258):805-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(05)71235-6. No abstract available.

  PMID: 11254003 BACKGROUND

• Aramideh M, Ongerboer de Visser BW, Holstege G, Majoie CB, Speelman JD. Blepharospasm in association with a lower pontine lesion. Neurology. 1996 Feb;46(2):476-8. doi: 10.1212/wnl.46.2.476.

  PMID: 8614517 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dystonia; Dystonic Disorders; Cerebellar Diseases; Blepharospasm

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dyskinesias; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Movement Disorders; Central Nervous System Diseases; Brain Diseases; Eyelid Diseases; Eye 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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 15, 2007
• First Posted: June 18, 2007
• Study Start: June 12, 2007
• Study Completion: June 29, 2012
• Last Updated: December 16, 2019

Record last verified: 2012-06-29

Locations

US (1)