Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is a general term for abnormal, involuntary movements such as writhing, twisting, jerking or fidgeting that a person cannot fully control.

It can affect the face, tongue, limbs or trunk and ranges from barely noticeable to disabling. The best-known forms are levodopa-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease, which appears after years of treatment, and tardive dyskinesia, which develops after long-term use of antipsychotic and some anti-nausea medications. Other causes include Huntington's disease, cerebral palsy, stroke and certain genetic disorders.

Neurologists assess dyskinesia through observation, medication history and standardized rating scales, sometimes with video recording to track change over time. Management depends on cause and may involve adjusting the offending medication, adding drugs that dampen the movements or, in selected cases, deep brain stimulation. Cannabinoids have been investigated in movement disorders, and a benefit from cannabidiol for dyskinesia is not established.