Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder

Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder

Article
Brain & Nerve
Diseases & Conditions
+2
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBAMay 07, 2018

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Bimanual Synergia
  • Familial Congenital Controlateral Synkinesia
  • Isolated Congenital Controlateral Synkinesia

What is Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder? (Definition/Background Information)

  • Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder (CMM) is a rare condition that is characterized by mirror movements (involuntary movements of one side of the body that mirror intentional movements on the opposite side)
  • Affected people generally develop these movements in infancy or early childhood, which usually persist throughout their life without any related signs or symptoms 
  • In most cases, the involuntary movements are noticeable but less pronounced than the corresponding voluntary movements; however, the severity of symptoms can vary significantly, even among family members
  • Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder can be caused by changes (mutations) in the DCC or RAD51 genes and inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. In some families, the exact underlying cause of CMM is unknown

(Source: Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder; Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center (GARD) of National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS), USA.)

Who gets Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder is a rare congenital disorder. The presentation of symptoms may occur in infancy or childhood that persist beyond age 10
  • Both males and females may be affected
  • Worldwide, individuals of all racial and ethnic groups may be affected

What are the Risk Factors for Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder? (Predisposing Factors)

  • A positive family history may be an important risk factor, since Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder can be inherited
  • Currently, no other risk factors have been clearly identified for CMM

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder? (Etiology)

  • Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder may be caused by mutations in the DCC or RAD51 genes. In some cases, the exact cause of the disorder may not be known
  • The DCC and RAD51 gene mutations are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner

Autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance: Autosomal dominant conditions are traits or disorders that are present when only one copy of the mutation is inherited on a non-sex chromosome. In these types of conditions, the individual has one normal copy and one mutant copy of the gene. The abnormal gene dominates, masking the effects of the correctly function gene. If an individual has an autosomal dominant condition, the chance of passing the abnormal gene on to their offspring is 50%. Children, who do not inherit the abnormal gene, will not develop the condition or pass it on to their offspring.

In some cases, the autosomal dominant inheritance may occur with incomplete penetrance. In such cases, an individual may not develop severe symptoms even when he/she is carrying a gene mutation or deletion in each cell of his/her body

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder?

The signs and symptoms of Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder may vary among affected individuals in type and severity, and may include:

  • Voluntary movement in one hand and fingers is mirrored in the other hand involuntarily
  • No other symptoms are apparently noted

How is Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder Diagnosed?

Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder is diagnosed on the basis of the following information:

  • Complete physical examination
  • Thorough medical history evaluation
  • Assessment of signs and symptoms
  • Laboratory tests
  • Imaging studies
  • Biopsy studies, if necessary
  • Molecular geentic testing to check for or confirm causative gene mutations

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder?

The complications of Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder may include:

  • Severe mirroring movement
  • Inability to indulge in activities that require independent movement of both hands (such as playing a musical instrument like piano)
  • Depression

Complications may occur with or without treatment, and in some cases, due to treatment also.

How is Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder Treated?

There is no cure for ACongenital Mirror Movement Disorder, since it is a genetic condition. The treatment is usually given to manage the signs and symptoms and any complication that develops.

How can Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder be Prevented?

Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder may not be preventable, since it is a genetic disorder.

  • Genetic testing of the expecting parents (and related family members) and prenatal diagnosis (molecular testing of the fetus during pregnancy), if available, may help in understanding the risks better during pregnancy
  • If there is a family history of the condition, then genetic counseling will help assess risks, before planning for a child
  • Active research is currently being performed to explore the possibilities for treatment and prevention of inherited and acquired genetic disorders
  • Regular medical screening at periodic intervals with tests and physical examinations are recommended

What is the Prognosis of Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • The prognosis of Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder is dependent upon the severity of the signs and symptoms and associated complications, if any
  • Individuals with mild conditions have better prognosis than those with severe symptoms and complications
  • Typically, the prognosis may be assessed on a case-by-case basis

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder:

The following are some additional synonyms for Congenital Mirror Movement Disorder:

  • Bimanual Synkinesis
  • Congenital Mirror Movements
  • Familial Congenital Mirror Movements
  • Hereditary Congenital Controlateral Synkinesia
  • Hereditary Congenital Mirror Movements
  • Isolated Congenital Mirror Movements

The following DoveMed website link is a useful resource for additional information:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/rare-disorders/

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
Approved by

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!