Neurology, Addiction and Psychiatry Conference

Generally, motor system disorders are neurological disorders characterized by a loss of coordination in movement and dysfunction in the control of muscles. The majority of these conditions result from a range of pathology from a dysfunction point along the motor pathways in both the central nervous system, the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, leading to muscle weakness, tremors, spasms, and difficulties with movement, among others. Some of the most prominent motor system disorders include Parkinson's disease, ALS, and dystonia.

The motor system is the development of voluntary movement, as signals are sent from the CNS to the muscles. When disturbances find pathways controlling signals, patients experience some degree of motor dysfunction, ranging from slight tremors to loss of total muscle control. Among the most recognized motor system disorders is Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting the movement. Characteristics of the disease include tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia or slowness of movement, and postural instability. It is caused by the loss of neurons in the brain, which produce dopamine, a transmitter required for movement regulation.

ALS is the other significant motor system disorder. It is known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease in which there is an effect on motor neurons within the brain and spinal cord, leading to significant weakness in muscles and eventual paralysis. Patients with ALS are no longer able to control muscles at will and lose vital functions like speaking, swallowing, and breathing over time. Despite yet having no cure for the disease, research has been able to slow down the rate of disease progression in many patients and improve their quality of life with treatments.

Dystonia is another type of motor disorder, usually characterized by involuntary muscle contractions leading to repetitive movements or posture abnormality. It affects different parts of the body, including the neck, face, arms, or legs. Dystonia may also be a primary condition or it can be a complicating feature of other diseases of the nervous system. Management options for dystonia symptoms include Botox injections, physical therapy, and DBS.

The diagnosis of a motor system disorder typically involves clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and electrophysiological investigations for nerve and muscle functions. Treatment is determined based on the underlying condition but may also involve medication, physical therapy, and surgical intervention such as deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease or neural implants in ALS.

This demands continuous studies and development of mechanisms of disorders of the motor system to develop new strategies of treatments that can restore the functions of motor activity in patients.