Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: The Physiology of Paroxysmal Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders: A SPECT Study
Brief Summary:
This study will use single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to determine what areas of the brain are responsible for paroxysmal hyperkinetic movement disorders. Patients with these disorders have sudden, brief attacks of movement, similar to epileptic seizures, but without loss of consciousness. SPECT is a nuclear medicine test that produces three-dimensional images of the brain, showing blood flow and function in different brain regions. This test, which can detect the focus of epileptic seizures, will be used in this study to scan patients while they are experiencing a hyperkinetic movement attack, while they are not having and attack, and while they are simulating an attack.
Patients 18 years of age and older who have paroxysmal movement attacks that can be easily induced by a specific trigger, such as a sudden movement or prolonged exercise, may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and review of their medical records, physical examination, videotape of attacks, and, for women, a pregnancy test.
Participants will have three SPECT scans, separated from each other by at least 48 hours. Before each scan, the subject will perform an activity that ordinarily precipitates a movement attack, such as standing up from a chair, assuming a certain posture, or doing something strenuous. Each scan will try to record one of the following conditions: