Which cerebral palsy type is associated with basal ganglia damage and involuntary movements such as dystonia, athetosis, and chorea?

• A. Spastic
• B. Dyskinetic
• C. Ataxic
• D. Mixed

Answer: (B)

Movement control is guided by the basal ganglia, so when this region is damaged the resulting cerebral palsy type presents with involuntary, irregular movements rather than stiff, spastic patterns. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy features movements such as dystonia (twisting, sustained postures), athetosis (slow, writhing movements), and chorea (brief, irregular jerks), which reflect basal ganglia dysfunction. This differentiates it from spastic CP, which arises from upper motor neuron injury and causes stiffness and hyperreflexia; from ataxic CP, which involves cerebellar pathways leading to balance problems and tremor; and from mixed CP, which shows multiple motor characteristics.