Primary Dystonia

The word primary describes a case in which the dystonia is the only neurological disorder that the person has. Primary dystonias include some genetic forms (such as DYT1 dystonia in which a gene has been identified) and forms for which a cause is not usually found (such as most focal dystonias).

Genetic dystonias may be described using certain terms:

• Sporadic�A case of dystonia that is genetic or presumed to be genetic when the affected person does not have a history of dystonia in the family.
• Familial�Dystonia that is inherited and occurs in multiple members of an extended family.
• Inherited�Dystonia that is passed on genetically from parent or ancestor to a child.

Before any of the dystonia genes were discovered, the word idiopathic was often used to describe the forms that were presumed to be genetic. By definition, idiopathic means �of unknown cause.� Today, if a person�s dystonia is described as idiopathic, that simply means that the cause is not known�it cannot be attributed to trauma, drug exposure, a gene mutation, or another disease or condition.

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