Welcome to St. Mary's Neurology Center

Movement disorders are a group of neurological conditions that primarily affect the ability to control voluntary movements. These disorders are caused by dysfunction in the areas of the brain responsible for movement, including the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and other related regions. Two of the most well-known movement disorders are Parkinson's disease and essential tremor.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement control. It is caused by the gradual degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, specifically in the substantia nigra, a part of the brain involved in movement regulation. It is the second most common movement disorder in the world. 

Symptoms include Tremors (typically at rest, also known as "resting tremor"), muscle rigidity, difficulty maintaining balance and an increased risk of falls, shuffling gait, and speech changes (softening or slurring of speech)

Essential tremor is a common movement disorder that causes rhythmic shaking, most often in the hands, but it can also affect the head, voice, and other parts of the body. It is the most common movement disorder in the world.

Tremors are more noticeable during voluntary movements, such as when trying to hold a cup or write, and less so at rest. There is often difficulty with fine motor tasks, like buttoning a shirt or using utensils. 

Cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, is a neurological disorder involving involuntary muscle contractions in the neck. This leads to abnormal postures and movements.  

Can be idiopathic cervical dystonia (meaning there is no identifiable cause) or caused by other neurological conditions. 

Blepharospasm is a form of focal dystonia involving the eye muscles. It is characterized by involuntary spasms of the eyelid muscles and this leads to uncontrolled blinking and eye closure. 

Tardive Dykinesia is a medication-induced movement disorder involving involuntary, repetitive movements. 

Dystonia can be focal, general , or multifocal. It can be of genetic, idiopathic (unknown), or secondary to brain injury, infection, or stroke.