Quantifying Motor Network Dynamics to Predict and Enhance Outcomes in Pediatric Dystonia

Quantifying Motor Network Dynamics to Predict and Enhance Outcomes in Pediatric Dystonia

The goal of this study is to understand the development and progression of childhood dystonia, a movement disorder, in children. The main questions it aims to answer are:

How does the activity of the neural network evolve in children with dystonia in the context of motor development? What are the effects of chronic and active stimulation on cortical and subcortical motor network function in children with deep brain stimulation (DBS)?

Participants will:

• Undergo noninvasive electrophysiological measurements (EEG, EMG) to quantify neural network activity. They will be tested at rest and during a simple motor reaction task.
• Children with DBS will be assessed in the on and off DBS state to assess effects of chronic and active changes in motor network function.

Inclusion Criteria:

• For dystonia subjects:
• Dx of dystonia (with and without DBS)
• willingness and ability to complete study protocols.
• For Typically Developing Controls:
• normal developmental milestones
• absence of any neuropsychiatric disorder
• no significant medical condition.

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of epilepsy
• presence of implanted medical devices (except DBS in dystonia subjects)
• lack of cognitive or physical ability to complete study protocol.