Defining research priorities in dystonia

Codrin Lungu, Laurie Ozelius, David Standaert, Mark Hallett, Beth Anne Sieber, Christine Swanson-Fisher, Brian D. Berman, Nicole Calakos, Jennifer C. Moore, Joel S. Perlmutter, Sarah E. Pirio Richardson, Rachel Saunders-Pullman, Laura Scheinfeldt, Nutan Sharma, Roy Sillitoe, Kristina Simonyan, Philip A. Starr, Anna Taylor, Jerrold Vitek, Codrin Lungu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

ObjectiveDystonia is a complex movement disorder. Research progress has been difficult, particularly in developing widely effective therapies. This is a review of the current state of knowledge, research gaps, and proposed research priorities.MethodsThe NIH convened leaders in the field for a 2-day workshop. The participants addressed the natural history of the disease, the underlying etiology, the pathophysiology, relevant research technologies, research resources, and therapeutic approaches and attempted to prioritize dystonia research recommendations.ResultsThe heterogeneity of dystonia poses challenges to research and therapy development. Much can be learned from specific genetic subtypes, and the disorder can be conceptualized along clinical, etiology, and pathophysiology axes. Advances in research technology and pooled resources can accelerate progress. Although etiologically based therapies would be optimal, a focus on circuit abnormalities can provide a convergent common target for symptomatic therapies across dystonia subtypes. The discussions have been integrated into a comprehensive review of all aspects of dystonia.ConclusionOverall research priorities include the generation and integration of high-quality phenotypic and genotypic data, reproducing key features in cellular and animal models, both of basic cellular mechanisms and phenotypes, leveraging new research technologies, and targeting circuit-level dysfunction with therapeutic interventions. Collaboration is necessary both for collection of large data sets and integration of different research methods.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)526-537
Number of pages12
JournalNeurology
Volume94
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 24 2020

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