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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