Spontaneous Buccolinguofacial Dyskinesia in the Elderly

Buccolinguofacial dyskinesia consists of repetitive, non-rhythmic abnormal movements which occur at the speed of normal voluntary movement. To the observer they do not suggests a normal activity of mastication or phonation. This type of dyskinesia was evidenced in 88 patients out of a total of 240 elderly examined. It is more frequent in females than in males. Incidence does not increase with age. Frequency is highly variable individually. Every subject seems to have a comparatively stable frequency of his own. Dyskinesia is reduced or suppressed by neuroleptics, whereas stereotyped movements of the limbs are not affected. Individualization of bucolinguofacial dyskinesia from other abnormal movements should consequently rest on both its clinical features and its pharmacological sensitivity.