CLASSIFICATION OF MOVEMENT DISORDERS
Movement Disorders can be defined as neurological syndromes in which there is either 1) an excess of movement or 2) a paucity of movement, unrelated to weakness or spasticity. The former are commonly referred to as hyperkinesias (excessive movements), dyskinesias (unnatural movement), and abnormal involuntary movements. On the other hand, the paucity of movement group can be referred to as hypokinesia (decreased amplitude of movement), bradykinesia (slowness of movement), or akinesia (loss of movement). The parkinsonian syndromes are the most common cause of such paucity of movement; other types of hypokinetic disorders affect only a small group of patients.
I. HYPOKINESIAS =
decreased range, slowness, loss of movement
The most common hypokinetic movement disorder is Parkinson's disease. Less common are PSP, MSA and other still rarer "Parkinson-Plus" syndromes.
II. HYPERKINESIAS =
extra, excessive movements
Common hyperkinetic movement disorders include restless legs, essential tremor, Tourette syndrome and dystonia. Less common are hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm, the ataxias and Huntington's disease.
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Copyright © 2004 The Neurological Institute of New York || Columbia University Medical Center || Division of Movement Disorders
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July 17, 2013