Neuropathology of movement disorders

Abstract

Movement disorders according to clinical phenomenology are divided into hypokinetic (Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy), hyperkinetic (chorea, dyskinesias, tremor), atactic (spinocerebellar, Friedreich’s ataxia), and motor neuron disorders. Only the first two are considered. Most are caused by the dysfunction of the basal ganglia, which work in tandem with the cortex via complex (corticobasal ganglia/thalamocortical) circuits, although virtually the entire nervous system is engaged in motor control. Recent progress provided insight into their pathogenesis and molecular pathology. Many are neurodegenerative proteinopathies, classified into synucleinopathies, tauopathies, polyglutamine repeat, and other disorders. This is a brief overview of the neuropathology of major forms.