Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Demyelinating Diseases
Summary
Movement disorders are increasingly recognised as integral manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other central nervous system demyelinating conditions such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. These disturbances range from cerebellar tremor and ataxia to paroxysmal dyskinesias, chorea, dystonia, myoclonus and restless legs. Pathophysiological mechanisms include focal demyelinating lesions disrupting cerebellar and basal ganglia pathways, inflammation-induced neuronal hyperexcitability, and aberrant neuroplastic changes in long tracts. Clinically, movement abnormalities may present at onset, herald relapse or accompany disease progression, significantly affecting mobility and quality of life. Diagnostic evaluation relies on clinical assessment and high-resolution neuroimaging, while management combines symptomatic pharmacotherapy, targeted neuromodulation and multidisciplinary rehabilitation to optimise function.
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Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Demyelinating Diseases publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in movement disorders in multiple sclerosis and related demyelinating diseases across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Demyelination: Loss or damage of the myelin sheath surrounding axons, leading to impaired nerve conduction.
Paroxysmal dyskinesia: Sudden, brief involuntary movements or postures triggered by episodic neuronal hyperexcitability.
Myoclonus: Rapid, involuntary muscle jerks resulting from sudden neural discharge in spinal or cortical circuits.
Dystonia: Sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing twisting movements and abnormal postures.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD): An autoimmune demyelinating disease targeting aquaporin-4 in optic nerves and spinal cord.
Cerebellar ataxia: Incoordination of voluntary movement due to cerebellar pathway dysfunction.
References
- Paroxysmal Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis—A Review of the Literature. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2020).
- Movement Disorders in Multiple Sclerosis: An Update. Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements (2022).
- Spinal Segmental Myoclonus in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements (2024).
- Case Series: Dystonia with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. Dystonia (2023).
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