What is writer’s cramp?

A health article about writer’s cramp from Muscle Disorders the A to Z directory of
dealing with Health Problems & nutritional
Self Care Strategies

Researchers find gray matter lacking in people with the painful condition

By Amanda Gardner - HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Could writer's cramp be all in your mind?

New research suggests just that, with French scientists saying they've identified structural abnormalities in the brains of people prone to the painful condition. The abnormalities consist of less brain tissue in areas that govern motor skills, movement and sensory functioning.

"It's always nice to know as much as you can about something before you devise a treatment," said Dr. Tom Swift, past president of the American Academy of Neurology and professor emeritus and former chairman of the department of neurology at the Medical College of Georgia. "With a lot of dystonias, for a long time it was thought there weren't any anatomical abnormalities, even for severe dystonias. Using newer [imaging] techniques with higher resolutions, there are some areas that show abnormalities, but they're very subtle."

Writer's cramp is a dystonia, or a movement disorder that causes involuntary contractions of the muscles. The condition refers to involuntary muscle contractions of the fingers, hand or arm while writing or performing other manual tasks. It often occurs in people who have used the same muscles repeatedly for years. As a result, writing can become a painful activity, and written work can become far less legible, according to the Dystonia Society.

In one quarter of cases, the condition affects both hands. Overall, writer's cramp affects three to seven of every 100,000 people, a relatively small proportion, but it can negatively affect work, self-esteem and social life, the study authors said.

"In fully developed writer's cramp, the fingers grip the pen very tightly, and the arm drags down to the right lower corner of the page. It's pretty serious," Swift said. "Even typing can produce a similar kind of thing."

The disorder is complicated and not well understood, Swift said. "There are so many inputs that go into producing a smooth movement, it becomes one of the most complicated things in neurophysiology to figure out how the system works," he explained.

But there are effective treatments. They include injections of Botox, or Botulinum toxin, a protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum that contains the same toxin that causes food poisoning. Sterile, purified botulin toxin in small doses blocks the release of acetylcholine, a chemical produced by nerve cells that signals muscles to contract.

For the new study, published in the July 24 issue of Neurology, the researchers produced brain images of 30 people who had had writer's cramp for an average of seven years. The images were then compared with brain images of healthy people.

The participants with writer's cramp had less grey matter in three areas of the brain: the cerebellum, the thalamus and the sensorimotor cortex -- areas that control the affected hand.

The researchers now face a chicken-and-egg situation, because it's not clear whether the abnormalities are a cause or effect of writer's cramp.

According to Swift, the work also needs to be confirmed by independent researchers.

The study's author agreed that more research is needed.

"It is reassuring to know that physicians and researchers can identify the brain abnormalities underlying the trouble, even though yet there is no therapeutic consequences," said Dr. Stephane Lehericy, senior author of the study and head of the Center for Neuroimaging Research at Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere in Paris, France.

"Our findings show that several brain structures are abnormal in writer's cramp, including the cerebellum, suggesting that the cerebellum plays a role in the disease," Lehericy said. "The role of this structure in the disease will probably be investigated in more detail in animal models (some animal models have abnormalities in the cerebellum) and also in humans. Moreover, cerebellum is involved in motor control and scaling of fine movements and this may influence the way rehabilitation will be performed," he said.

More information

The Dystonia Society has more on writer's cramp.

Sources: HealthDay

Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

What are Muscle disorders?
Movement disorders are a group of diseases and syndromes affecting the ability to produce and control movement. Though it seems simple and effortless, normal movement in fact requires an astonishingly complex system of control. Disruption of any portion of this system can cause a person to produce movements that are too weak, too forceful, too uncoordinated, or too poorly controlled for the task at hand. Unwanted movements may occur at rest. Intentional movement may become impossible. Such conditions are called movement disorders.
(To read the rest of this article click on the Title above here.)

Free Report Reveals “Why you need Nutrition Supplementation with your food for your Health Success!” Free Health Book. Download your vitamin supplements Special Free Report Today Click the link above to get your free ebook & eCourse today!

to “Your Health Success”
our monthly F’R’E’E’ Newsletter

Back to Top of writer’s cramp page

Subscribe to “Your Health Success” newsletter
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Site Map

============================================================================
SITE DISCLAIMER: Do these products “cure” anything? Of course not… but it stands to reason that if you cleanse your body and feed it the finest nutrition available, giving it everything it needs in balance, on a daily basis, that your body will do what nature intended, and give you the best possible chance to fend off sickness and disease. This writer’s cramp information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The writer’s cramp content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any writer’s cramp questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
The writer’s cramp resources on this site are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify writer’s cramp information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the web site writer’s cramp subject matter herein. The site writer’s cramp contents are solely the opinion of the authors and should not be considered as a form of advice, direction and/or recommendation of any kind. If expert advice or counseling is needed, services of a competent professional should be sought. The author and the Publisher assume no responsibility or liability and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied for any writer’s cramp products or services mentioned, or any techniques or writer’s cramp practices described.
The purchaser or reader of thi writer’s cramp s publication assumes responsibility for the use of these materials and information. Neither the author nor the Publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of any purchaser or reader of these writer’s cramp materials. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy. Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations is unintentional. This website and its creators are not responsible for the content of any sites linked to. Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
============================================================================

Back to Top of page