Dystonia Versus Redox Balance: A Preliminary Assessment of Oxidative Stress in Patients

Dystonia is defined as a movement disorder, the etiology of which may be linked to oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of zinc, copper, and selenium, as well as oxidative stress parameters, in patients diagnosed with focal dystonia, in comparison to a control group. The study comprised 39 patients and 30 healthy subjects. Patients demonstrated a marked decrease in Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) (<i>p</i> = 0.0002) and an increase in Total Oxidant Status (TOS) and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) (both <i>p</i> < 0.0001), suggesting a redox imbalance. Of the elements examined, only copper exhibited a significant elevation (<i>p</i> = 0.0061), while zinc and selenium levels remained unchanged. The results of this study suggest that oxidative stress may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of dystonia and represent a potential target for adjunctive therapy.