Focal Dystonia Overview

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Learn About Focal Dystonia

What is the definition of Focal Dystonia?
Focal dystonia is a disorder of the neurological system that causes muscle contractions in one area of the body, such as the face, vocal cords, neck, jaw, fingers, wrists, hands, or feet. Task-specific focal dystonia is a type of dystonia that causes muscle contractions in areas of the body associated with specific tasks, such as writer’s cramp.
What are the symptoms of Focal Dystonia?
Symptoms of focal dystonia depend on the affected area. Focal dystonia commonly affects the eyelids, jaw, tongue, neck, vocal cords, hand, or forearm but can occur in other areas. Symptoms of focal dystonia may progress, stay the same or stop, and then recur. The initial symptom of focal dystonia may be reduced muscle coordination, such as dropping things. As focal dystonia progresses, symptoms may include muscle pain, twitching muscles, muscle cramps, and abnormal postures of the affected area. Secondary symptoms of focal dystonia may include fatigue, trouble focusing, blurred vision, mood swings, depression, short temper, and difficulty sleeping.
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What are the current treatments for Focal Dystonia?
Treatment for focal dystonia may include lifestyle changes; physical therapy; occupational therapy; speech therapy; massage; stretches; medications, such as trihexyphenidyl, tetrabenazine, carbidopa/levodopa, clonazepam, valium, Baclofen, benzodiazepines, and Botulinum toxin injection; or surgery, such as deep brain stimulation or selective denervation.
Who are the top Focal Dystonia Local Doctors?
Distinguished in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Mustafa S. Siddiqui
Neurology
Distinguished in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Mustafa S. Siddiqui
Neurology

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Medical Ctr Blvd, 
Winston Salem, NC 
 (38.4 mi)
336-716-2734
Languages Spoken:
English
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Accepting New Patients

Mustafa Siddiqui is a Neurologist in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Siddiqui and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. His top areas of expertise are Parkinson's Disease, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Dry Mouth, Focal Dystonia, and Deep Brain Stimulation. Dr. Siddiqui is currently accepting new patients.

Distinguished in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Noreen Bukhari-Parlakturk
Neurology
Distinguished in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Noreen Bukhari-Parlakturk
Neurology

Duke Health Integrated Practice Inc

40 Duke Medicine Cir, 
Durham, NC 
 (47.3 mi)
919-684-8111
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Noreen Bukhari-Parlakturk is a Neurologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Bukhari-Parlakturk and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. Her top areas of expertise are Focal Dystonia, Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Parkinson's Disease, and Torticollis. Dr. Bukhari-Parlakturk is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Advanced in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Jessica A. Tate
Neurology
Advanced in Focal Dystonia
Dr. Jessica A. Tate
Neurology

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Medical Ctr Blvd, 
Winston Salem, NC 
 (38.4 mi)
336-716-2734
Languages Spoken:
English
See accepted insurances
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Jessica Tate is a Neurologist in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Tate and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Dystonia. Her top areas of expertise are Drug Induced Dyskinesia, Parkinson's Disease, Essential Tremor, and Primary Orthostatic Tremor. Dr. Tate is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the latest Focal Dystonia Clinical Trials?
Phase 1 Clinical Trial for MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (FUS) Pallidotomy for the Treatment of Task Specific Focal Hand Dystonia (TSFD)
Phase 1 Clinical Trial for MR Guided Focused Ultrasound (FUS) Pallidotomy for the Treatment of Task Specific Focal Hand Dystonia (TSFD)
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 13, 2025
Intervention Type: Device
Study Phase: Not Applicable

Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for treating task specific focal hand dystonias (TSFD). TSFD is a type of dystonia that affects hand movements during specific tasks such as writing, playing instruments or typing, often causing involuntarily movements or cramping.

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Safety and Impact on Quality of Life of Focused Ultrasound Pallidotomy for Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy in Pediatric and Young Adult Subjects
Safety and Impact on Quality of Life of Focused Ultrasound Pallidotomy for Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy in Pediatric and Young Adult Subjects
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 11, 2025
Intervention Type: Device
Study Phase: Not Applicable

Summary: The primary objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the safety of ExAblate Transcranial MRgFUS as a tool for creating bilateral or unilateral lesions in the globus pallidus (GPi) in patients with treatment-refractory secondary dystonia due to dyskinetic cerebral palsy

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What are the Latest Advances for Focal Dystonia?
Motor network reorganization associated with rTMS-induced writing improvement in writer's cramp dystonia.
Motor network reorganization associated with rTMS-induced writing improvement in writer's cramp dystonia.
Journal: medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences
Published: January 27, 2025
Engaging dystonia networks with subthalamic stimulation.
Engaging dystonia networks with subthalamic stimulation.
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Published: January 08, 2025
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Challenges in Describing Tremor and Dystonia.
Challenges in Describing Tremor and Dystonia.
Journal: Neurology
Published: December 26, 2024
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