What Is Cortical Movement Disorder?

A cortical movement disorder is a condition in which the body has trouble moving in the correct way. There are many different disorders that fall into this category. Some cause involuntary movements, others cause tremors or spasms. Treatment for these disorders varies depending on the underlying cause.

Causes

• Causes for cortical movement disorders are varied. These disorders can be caused by a genetic mutation, a brain injury, an illness or side effects of medications.

Chorea and Athetosis

• These two movement disorders cause slow, involuntary writhing movements. They are caused by over activity in the basal ganglia and are usually associated with other underlying causes, such as a brain injury or a disease. Treatment for chorea and athetosis involves finding the underlying cause and treating it, often with medication.

Ataxia

• Ataxia involves coordination problems and results from damage to the cerebellum. Treatment for ataxia depends on the cause and can include drugs, physical therapy or brain surgery.

Dystonia

• An individual with dystonia experiences muscle spasms that interfere with movement. These range from mild spasms, affecting only a small part of the body, to severe spasms that limit movement throughout the body. Dystonia is treated with drugs or botox therapy.

Diseases

• Several diseases can cause movement disorders. These include Huntington's Disease, which is an inherited condition, and Parkinson's disease, which is caused by deterioration of certain parts of the brain. These diseases have no known cure, but the symptoms can be alleviated with medication.