Dystonia: an update on genetics and treatment

Recent years have seen many advances in our understanding of the genetics of the dystonias, with 13 loci identified to date. The DYT1 gene, which causes most cases of childhood-onset generalized primary dystonia, was cloned in 1997, and use of cell models has begun to unravel the role of its protein (torsinA) in both health and disease. Treatment of more severe dystonia has been a difficult area, with only limited success from medical therapies. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the use of globus pallidus deep brain stimulation and a number of reports have shown promising results.