Clinical Problems of Drugs Used to Treat Movement Disorders

Abstract

The term movement disorders describes neurological conditions producing abnormalities of movements. They are associated with the basal ganglia and the extrapyramidal system. We will focus on the most common movement disorders and their main drug treatments. We will describe common adverse effects and drug interactions, which may be followed clinically or with additional diagnostic techniques. Contraindications will be outlined and prior evaluations will be described. For parkinsonian syndromes, we will cover levodopa, levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel infusion, monoamine oxidase type B inhibitors, dopamine reuptake inhibitors, glutamate receptor antagonists, ergoline and non-ergoline dopamine receptor agonists, transdermal rotigotine, and anticholinergics. For dystonia, we will review botulinum toxin, anticholinergics, GABAergics, antidopaminergics, and anticonvulsants; for essential tremor, beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, and botulinum toxin; for spasticity, botulinum toxin, baclofen, tizanidine, clonidine, tolperisone, and dantrolene; and for dyskinesias, botulinum toxin and valbenazine.