[Involuntary movement and neurotransmitter systems].

The brain is composed of numerous neurons, and information is chemically transmitted between neurons by neurotransmitters. In other words, the function of the brain is the sum of synaptic transmission phenomena. Therefore, to clarify physiological brain function and pathophysiology of involuntary movements, quantification of both neurotransmitters and receptors are indispensable. In the present paper, changes in neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain of various type of involuntary movements are reviewed. In spite of the fact that changes in neurotransmitter systems are the cardinal pathological lesions in involuntary movements, there is little evidence to support the view that these changes are actually related to the generation of involuntary movements. It is required to summarize all informations from neurotransmitter system analysis, behavioral pharmacology, clinical observations and animal models for clarifying the pathophysiology and developing a better therapeutic strategy against various involuntary movements.