What is a common treatment for dystonia?

• A. Benztropine
• B. Haloperidol
• C. Sertraline
• D. Lamotrigine

Answer: (A)

Dystonia is treated by addressing the imbalance between acetylcholine and dopamine in the basal ganglia to reduce involuntary muscle contractions. Anticholinergic medications like benztropine lessen acetylcholine activity, helping to restore that balance and decrease dystonic movements, especially in focal dystonias and drug-induced cases. That’s why benztropine is a common pharmacologic option. The other drugs listed don’t target this mechanism: haloperidol can provoke extrapyramidal symptoms including dystonia, not resolve it; sertraline and lamotrigine are not used for dystonia. In practice, additional approaches include botulinum toxin injections for focal symptoms and, for severe cases, deep brain stimulation, but benztropine remains a classic, commonly used therapy.