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A spectral analysis technique for quantifying dyskinesia in patients with diagnosis of Hungtington's Disease (chorea) (H.D.) is described. Spectral analysis involves computation of the magnitude of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMS) and of their distribution in frequency. It has the advantage of providing an objective measure of such movements. Three H.D. patients under different drug regimens and three age-matched controls have been evaluated and representative time records and power spectra are presented. Analysis established marked differences in the amplitude and shape of the normal and patient spectra. In addition, spectral analysis proved sensitive to differences in drug treatments among patients suggesting its additional use in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic agents in the treatment of movement disorders.

The report presents a method developed to analyze strip chart records generated by a system previously described and termed cineseismography which makes available quantitative records of abnormal involuntary movements in the human. In this report, method for converting measurements made on the strip chart record is described. Application of the method is made in three cases with diagnosis of Huntington's disease (chorea). Case histories are presented for each subject detailing the medications and dosage, and the quantitative data together with the histograms derived are provided. Preliminary trials indicate that movement decomposition, as in ataxia, can also be detected and quantified.