My PD Story

2025 Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Parkinson’s Disease

Using Brain Scans to Understand what Causes Parkinson’s-related Dystonia

Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience dystonia — sustained or repetitive muscle twitching, spasms or cramping that can occur in different parts of the body. These involuntary movements are often more forceful and painful than those of dyskinesia, a potential side effect of some PD medications that are involuntary, erratic movements that can either be fluid, rapid or extended muscle spasms.

Developing effective treatments for PD-related dystonia is difficult because we don’t know a lot about the neuroscience behind the condition. Laura de Lima Xavier, MD, recipient of the 2025 Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Parkinson’s Disease funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation and the American Brain Foundation, in collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology, is comparing brain scans of people with PD with and without dystonia to identify the key brain regions involved in dystonia to search for better therapeutic options.

“These efforts aim to significantly improve diagnostic tools, treatment strategies, and overall quality of life for individuals suffering from PD-related dystonia,” said Dr. Xavier.

Working as a neurologist and movement disorders fellow at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, Dr. Xavier believes that the key to understanding PD-associated dystonia lies with resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) scanning. This technology highlights how different regions of the brain are connected, and has already been used to better understand isolated dystonia in people without PD.

Dr. Xavier will compare rs-fMRI data that was previously collected from people in the PD community with and without dystonia, focusing on the sensorimotor network (SMN) area of the brain responsible for coordinating movement.

Identifying which regions in the SMN activate differently in people with dystonia could lead to future treatments that target those regions and alleviate the symptom.

“Future research will include examining different types of PD-related dystonia and using these insights to develop better treatment options,” said Dr. Xavier.

Dr. Xavier is grateful for the support she received to make this research possible and is optimistic about its potential to make a difference for people with PD.

“At a time when funding is scarce and the demand for clinicians and scientists trained in movement disorders is increasing, this support is invaluable. It provides me with the resources necessary to delve deeply into the mechanisms of PD-related dystonia, ultimately driving improvements in clinical care for those affected by Parkinson's.” - Dr. Xavier.

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