Complementary methods of diagnosis and treatment in movement disorders

Abstract

The cortical and subcortical regions are functionally connected, and normal well-coordinated movement results from their interaction. Abnormal movements are the consequence of a lesion or malfunction in the basal ganglia (BG) and their interconnections. Movement disorders are usually corrected by medication, but there are some techniques not-included into regular medical practice, which improve the symptoms by their neuromodulatory effects. In this review we discuss the uses of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Transcranial Sonography (TCS), Transcranial Magentic Stimulation (TMS) and Electrooculography (EOG) in paraclinical diagnosis, and the potential of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), Extradural Cortical Stimulation (ECS), transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tTDS), repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) as a therapeutic tool in patients with movement disorders.