Review Article
Non-invasive brain stimulation for dystonia: therapeutic implications
R. Erro,
M. Tinazzi,
F. Morgante,
K. P. Bhatia,
Corresponding Author
R. Erro
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
Correspondence: R. Erro, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorM. Tinazzi
Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorF. Morgante
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, London, UK
Search for more papers by this authorK. P. Bhatia
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
Search for more papers by this authorR. Erro,
M. Tinazzi,
F. Morgante,
K. P. Bhatia,
Corresponding Author
R. Erro
Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CEMAND), Department of Medicine, Neuroscience Section, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
Correspondence: R. Erro, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL, 33 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorM. Tinazzi
Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
Search for more papers by this authorF. Morgante
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Institute of Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, London, UK
Search for more papers by this authorK. P. Bhatia
Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Dystonia is characterized by excessive muscle contractions giving rise to abnormal posture and involuntary twisting movements. Although dystonia syndromes are a heterogeneous group of disorders, certain pathophysiological mechanisms have been consistently identified across different forms. These pathophysiological mechanisms have subsequently been exploited for the development of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques able to modulate neural activity in one or more nodes of the putative network that is altered in dystonia, and the therapeutic role of NIBS has hence been suggested. Here all studies that applied such techniques as a therapeutic intervention in any forms of dystonia, including the few works performed in children, are reviewed and emerging concepts and pitfalls of NIBS are discussed.
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