Movement disorders

What is it?

With movement disorders, there is a problem in the brain or brain stem that leads to abnormal movement. This can include reduced movement (e.g. too slow) or to much movement (e.g. tremors).

Characteristics

The most famous movement disorder is Parkinson's disease, in which the nerves inside and outside the brain are damaged.

This leads to movement symptoms such as:

• shaking
• making slower or smaller movements
• stiffness
• reduced balance

There are also non-movement symptoms that are also very important, such as:

• cognitive difficulties
• constipation
• reduced sense of smell
• sleep disturbances
• variable blood pressure
• ...

The most common movement disorder is an essential tremor where patients’ hands move when held in a certain position and when doing certain tasks. This can make writing or using utensils quite difficult.

You may also come to our department if you have other, less frequent movement disorders.

As neurologists, we can use medication to alleviate the symptoms that accompany these disorders.

Latest publication date: 29/08/2023
Supervising author: Dr. Aers Isabelle