A Case of Nocturnal Paroxysmal Dystonia

Nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia is characterized by brief, abrupt, dystonic or dyskinetic movement during NREMsleep. It has been considered as a form of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. A 35-year-old man complained of sleep disturbance and abnormal movement during sleep. In video-polysomnography recordings, he showed frequent stereotyped abnormal dystonic movements in upper and lower extremities. The dystonic movements occurred during stage IV sleep. He was treated with carbamazepine and the symptoms improved. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(3):305~308, 2001)