[Orofacial dyskinesia. A current pathology]

Abstract

Bucco-facial dyskinesia is particularly frequent in aged persons, for whom the condition is a definite handicap because of its social and, sometimes, functional impact. The etiology of these abnormal movements is variable. On one hand, many treatments can be incriminated, especially neuroleptics, and on the other hand, there also are frequent spontaneous dyskinesias, movements for which the risk factors are described. The physiopathology remains open to discussion and research, but we already know that the regulation of the nigro-striated pathway plays a role in it, as well, maybe, as toxic (free radicals) and immunological factors. Various therapies are described, but the outcome for such dyskinesias is often unfavorable, at least in elderly subjects, hence the merits of prevention. The latter is based on the prescription of as few neuroleptic drugs as possible, on the use of possibly protective substances, and finally on the suppression on the triggering elements that some local factors may form.