Dysdiadochokinesia is a medical condition caused by lesions in the cerebellum, resulting in difficulty performing rapid, alternating movements. It is often a sign of brain disorders and is diagnosed through simple movement tests. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Dysdiadochokinesia is a medical condition characterized by the patient’s difficulty when trying to perform rapid, alternating movements. It is often the result of lesions on the posterior lobe of the cerebellum that make it difficult to activate and deactivate the opposing muscle groups. A doctor usually diagnoses the condition after asking the patient to perform a series of simple movements such as turning a doorknob, screwing in a light bulb, or rubbing the shin with the opposite heel. A patient with dysdiadochokinesia will not be able to perform these tasks steadily or quickly, if at all.
This medical term is a combination of the Greek words for “bad”, “to receive” and “to move”. The condition is a key feature of many brain disorders, including multiple sclerosis and neocerebellar syndrome, and is caused by lesions in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that governs motor control. A person with dysdiadochokinesia will be unable to perform rapid alternating movements such as winding a watch or quickly moving their tongue from side to side in their mouth.
Performing alternating movements steadily and rapidly requires significant coordination of the cerebellum. Consequently, patients with lesions or other cerebellar disorders may develop dysdiadochokinesia because this coordination is disturbed. The affected muscles may weaken and tire more easily, and the patient may appear uncoordinated and clumsy, a condition known as ataxia.
A doctor will test for dysdiadochokinesia by asking the patient to perform several simple activities that require rapid, alternating movements. The patient’s ability to perform will depend on which muscles are affected by any injury to the cerebellum. Common tests include having the patient twist their hand several times in quick succession against a hard, flat surface. The patient may also be asked to touch their nose and then quickly touch the doctor’s finger. Turning a doorknob is another typical diagnostic test for dysdiadochokinesia.
Once dysdiadochokinesia is suspected, your doctor may do other tests to determine the underlying medical condition. Dysdiadochokinesia is often a sign of a disorder of the brain, basal ganglia, or frontal lobe disease. Treating the underlying condition, if possible, can improve dysdiadochokinesia.
This condition is caused by lesions in the cerebellum. Treating an injury can be tricky because there are so many causes and success depends on the type. A lesion is usually diagnosed through imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and a lesion that doesn’t grow or cause symptoms is often monitored without medical intervention.
Other injuries may be treated with surgery, antibiotics, or chemotherapy depending on the cause. If the immune system is attacking brain tissue, a doctor may prescribe a drug that changes this response. Physical therapy can help patients with dysdiadochokinesia adjust and regain some motor control.
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