Piecing together a complex puzzle: 5 key challenges in basic dystonia research

Dystonia refers to a heterogeneous group of movement disorders characterized by involuntary, sustained muscle contractions leading to repetitive twisting movements and abnormal postures. Dystonia has a broad clinical spectrum and can affect different body regions, causing significant disability and reduced quality of life. Despite significant progress in understanding the disorder, many challenges in dystonia research remain. This mini-review aims to highlight the major challenges facing basic and translational research in this field, including 1) heterogeneity of the disorder, 2) limited understanding of its pathophysiology, 3) complications of using animal models, 4) lack of a framework linking genes, biochemistry, circuits, and clinical phenomenology, and 5) limited research funding. Identifying and discussing these challenges can help prioritize research efforts and resources, highlight the need for further investigation and funding, and inspire action towards addressing these challenges.