Trihexyphenidyl in posthemorrhagic dystonia: Motor and language effects

Trihexyphenidyl has been found to be an effective treatment for dystonic mo vement disorders, improving gross motor function in patients with axial and torsional dystonia, tremors, and myoclonus, In this report, improvements i n fine motor control, language, and oral motor skills are described with tr ihexyphenidyl in an 8-year-old female who developed dystonia after spontane ous bilateral putamenal hemorrhages. No adverse side effects occurred. The mechanism of action of trihexyphenidyl is believed to be in the basal gangl ia where it inhibits muscarinic cholinergic receptors and increases the tur nover of dopamine. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.