What are hyperkinetic movements?
Hyperkinetic movements are repetitive, abnormal, and involuntary movements of the body. These motions are identified as common neural disturbances in children and can potentially lead to movement disorders.
The distribution and severity of these repeated movements may shift over time.
Understanding nervous system-related symptoms and features.
Symptoms may affect multiple parts of the body. Understanding which part of the body a symptom affects, can help us to better understand the potential underlying causes of a symptom, including a rare disease or genetic syndrome.
The nervous system is made up of a network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from both the brain and the spinal cord. Within the nervous system are the Central nervous system and the Peripheral nervous system.
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system.
Within the peripheral nervous system are the somatic and autonomic nervous systems. The somatic system controls responses to sensory stimuli, while the autonomic nervous system controls the inner workings of organs, including digestion, breathing and the heartbeat.
Sleep is one body function, controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system.
Hyperkinetic features are commonly seen in conditions such as Huntington’s disease, Tourette syndrome, or tardive dyskinesia. They may also occur as a side effect of medications that alter dopamine regulation in the nervous system.
What should I do next?
In some instances, hyperkinetic movements may be one of the features of a rare disease or genetic syndrome. To find out if someone with Hyperkinetic Movements, may be due to a genetic syndrome, it is important to have a consultation and evaluation with a clinical genetic specialist. Specialists may also suggest specific genetic testing or other types of tests to help reach a diagnosis. FDNA’s AI technology can help speed up the diagnostic process by analyzing facial features and other health information.