Alteration of digital representations in somatosensory cortex in focal hand dystonia

Author(s): Candia, V., Altenmuller, E., Rau, H., Sterr, A., Rockstroh, B., Pantev, C., Taub, E.

Journal/Book: Neuroreport. 1998; 9: 3571-5.

Abstract: Focal hand dystonia involves a loss of motor control of one or more digits; it is associated with the repetitive, synchronous movements of the digits made by musicians over periods of many years. Magnetic source imaging revealed that there is a smaller distance (fusion) between the representations of the digits in somatosensory cortex for the affected hand of dystonic musicians than for the hands of non- musician control subjects. The data suggest that use-dependent susceptibility to digital representation fusion in cortex may be involved in the etiology of focal dystonia. A successful therapy for the condition has been developed based on this consideration.

Keyword(s): Adult. Dystonia/diagnosis/physiopathology. Female. Fingers/physiology. Human. Laterality/physiology. Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Magnetoencephalography. Male. Middle Age. Music. Neuronal Plasticity/physiology. Neurons, Afferent/physiology. Occupational Diseases/physiopathology. Somatosensory Cortex/cytology/physiopathology. Support, Non-U.S. Gov't. Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

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