What is Motor Movement Disorder?

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Our Unconscious Movements

We scarcely think of the muscles we use as we reach, pull, walk, stretch, lift or handle small objects. They are guided by the neuronic activity between skeletal system and the brain. The activities begin as babies, discovering our fingers, control over our vocal chords, learning to sit, then stand. Performers, gymnasts, athletes learn to highly define their motor movement, bringing artful grace or amazing accomplishments with their motor skills.

The complexity of the body’s neural network controlling motor movement is maintained through an intricate physiological balance that scientists and neuropsychologists continue to study. Anatomists break down the nervous system into two basic parts; the central nervous system, which contains the brain and spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system, which is made up of all the other parts of the body connected to the central nervous system.

Symptoms of Motor Movement Disorders

There are a large number of movement disorders, but they are categorized under two definitions. Hyperkinesia is excessive spontaneous movement or abnormal involuntary movement and hypokinesia, which is reduced or absent ability to perform movement.

Movement disorders may be caused by traumatic brain injury, a number of diseases, or by an aneurism, blood clot or hemorrhage. The neurological condition is extreme. Motor movement impairments, such as autism and Asperger’s is not considered a motor movement disorder. Tourette’s syndrome, which is characterized by multiple body tics or phonics or voice tics, is defined as a motor movement disorder, as is cerebral palsy, as is Parkinson’s disease and dystonia, among others.

The Study of Motor Movement Disorders

The nerve impulses that carry neurons throughout our bodies contain an electrical signal. Within the skeletal nervous system, the neurons transmit data from the brain to the spinal cord motor neurons, then to the muscles, signaling the type of movement we wish to perform.

Our sensory neurons perform an opposite function. Nerve impulses are transferred from the body’s sensory inputs, such as the skin, then transferred to the spinal cord, then to the brain.

There are three basic brain structures related to motor control. The cerebral cortex is a somewhat lumpy region of the brain, with localized areas containing the higher brain functions, such as learning, memory and the control over some muscles.

The cerebellum is located outside the cerebral cortex and is connected to the brain stem. It’s the processing center for coordination, balance, equilibrium and posture. This part of the brain links to both the spinal cord and the motor areas of the cortex.

The basal ganglia lies just under the cerebral cortex. It does not initiate direct movement, but scientists now believe it works in conjunction with the motor areas of the cerebral cortex, allowing some movements while restricting others. The basal ganglia allows us to switch activities and engage in new ones.

A Neuropsychology Career

The study of motor movement disorders falls within neuropsychology and neuroscience. The purpose is to administer assessments to persons with brain injuries and disorders that affect motor control and movement. Generally, the neuropsychologist will choose a specialized field, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. By learning more about the areas of the brain that control movement, greater understanding of the causes and cures for motor movement disorders can be discovered and new therapies can be developed.