Hemiballismus #830747

The book on Hemiballismus delves into a rare and complex movement disorder characterized by uncontrollable, violent movements of the limbs on one side of the body. It begins with an exploration of the disorder's etiology, pinpointing damage to the subthalamic nucleus due to stroke or vascular lesions as a primary cause. The pathophysiology section elucidates how such damage disrupts the indirect pathway in the basal ganglia, leading to diminished inhibition of thalamocortical projections and consequent hyperactivity in cortical motor areas. Diagnosis is discussed through clinical presentation and neuroimaging findings, setting the stage for an in-depth discussion on treatment modalities. Traditional pharmacological therapies including antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and dopamine-depleting agents are covered extensively. For refractory cases, surgical interventions like deep brain stimulation or lesioning procedures are considered. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to exploring a novel therapeutic strategy known as the implication approach. This involves non- invasive neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) aimed at specific neural circuits implicated in hemiballismus' pathogenesis. Preliminary studies showing promising results with these techniques are highlighted, particularly their potential in reducing abnormal movements and improving motor function. In conclusion, this book presents a comprehensive overview of hemiballismus from its causes and diagnosis to traditional and innovative treatments. The exploration of neuromodulation techniques as a viable treatment option offers hope for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies. Further research directions are suggested to optimize these novel approaches, making it an invaluable resource for clinicians, researchers, and students interested in movement disorders.