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Multidisciplinary study of adult-onset idiopathic dystonia

Neurological Disorders | Tremor | Botox | Foothills Medical Centre

This research study investigates adult-onset idiopathic dystonia, a neurological condition presenting with uncontrollable movements and twisted postures that may affect any part of the body. Adult-onset idiopathic dystonia reduces quality of life and may be invalidating for many patients. Unfortunately, we still know very little about what causes it and what makes it spread from one body region to another.

In order to investigate the brain functions that are involved in dystonia, it is necessary to compare patients with the condition to people without it. For this reason, we are also approaching healthy individuals and patients with hemifacial spasm, a neurological condition that, even if it is not related to dystonia, is also treated with botox injections approximately every 3 months.

Your participation is therefore very important to the success of this study as it will allow us to get a better understanding of this condition.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    Male, Female

  • Eligible Ages:

    18 to 80

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:
• Patients diagnosed with adult-onset idiopathic dystonia or hemifacial spasm
• > 18 years old
• Healthy individuals, ages 40 to 60, who have never been diagnosed with a psychiatric or neurological disorder, and are generally healthy
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent
• Willing to participate in all clinical assessments

Exclusion Criteria:
• Presence of metal anywhere in the head, excluding the mouth
• Presence of electrodes inside the heart (e.g. pacemakers)
• Patients with increased intracranial pressure
• Patients with a history of seizures.
• Patients with a history of other movement disorders or other neurological manifestations

Study Location

University of Calgary
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Contact Study Team

Study Sponsored By
University of Calgary
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: REB17-0054