Study of Behavioral Dysfunctions and Related Neuronal Correlates in Patients With Dystonia

NCT06264063 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: D-DIST
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 102
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Dystonias represent hyperkinetic movement disorders characterized by protracted muscle contractions, such as to cause torsional movements and anomalous postures in different parts of the body. Although they occur more often in a focal form (blepharospasm, oromandibular dystonia, cervical dystonia, laryngeal dystonia, attitudinal cramps of the limbs) than segmental (involvement of several contiguous muscle groups, e.g. facial muscles and neck muscles), they are nevertheless capable of significantly influencing the quality of life, with consequent social and health costs. Although described as a predominantly motor disorder, the presence of non-motor symptoms in dystonias associated with alteration of the fronto-striatal circuits is increasingly recognized. Neuroimaging studies have highlighted that the striatum and, more specifically, striatal dopamine, is involved in high cognitive processes such as attention, reward-based learning and decision making. Clinical conditions associated with cortico-striatal circuit dysfunction and abnormal meso-striatal or meso-cortical dopamine transmission also appear to influence temporal estimation, delay discounting, showing an impulsive preference for immediate rewards over delayed gratification. Based on these premises, the present project aims to evaluate the cognitive and affective aspects of dystonias, in line with neuroimaging research documenting structural and functional dysfunctions in the respective brain regions.

Conditions

Dystonia; Neurologic Disorder; NEUROSCIENCE

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• montreal cognitive assessment

  Study of cognitive functions in dystonic subjects, with particular reference to the mechanisms of memory, attention and executive functions

  1 hour

• Beck depression inventory

  Study of affective functions in dystonic subjects, with particular reference to the mechanisms of mood and evaluating the presence of depressive symptoms

  1 hour

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• EEG power in alpha band

  1 hour

Study Arms (2)

experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

patients with dystonia were submitted to a neuropsychological evaluation

Behavioral: experimental group; Diagnostic Test: EEG power in alpha band

control group

EXPERIMENTAL

healthy patients were submitted to a neuropsychological evaluation

Behavioral: control group; Diagnostic Test: EEG power in alpha band

Interventions

control group BEHAVIORAL

the investigators have to assess the neuropsychological and psychological profile with specific questionnaire that evaluated the moral index, presence of obsessive and compulsive disorders and Montreal Cognitive Assessment to evaluate cognitive functions

control group

experimental group BEHAVIORAL

the investigators have to assess the neuropsychological and psychological profile with specific questionnaire that evaluated the moral index, presence of obsessive and compulsive disorders and Montreal Cognitive Assessment to evaluate cognitive functions

experimental group

EEG power in alpha band DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

partecipants were submitted to registration of electrical activity with EEG to study the EEG power in alpha band

control group; experimental group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• \> 18 years old;
• Informed consent;
• Montreal cognitive assessment \> 21;

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with cervical dystonia with anterocollis spasm;
• Sensory-motor deficits that can hinder neuropsychological assessment
• Contraindications to performing Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sponsors & Collaborators

• IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo: lead

Study Sites (1)

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo

Messina, Messina, 98124, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dystonia; Nervous System Diseases

Interventions

Control Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dyskinesias; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Research Design; Methods

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: SCREENING
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 28, 2023
• First Posted: February 16, 2024
• Study Start: January 10, 2024
• Primary Completion: March 10, 2024
• Study Completion: October 10, 2025
• Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

IT (1)