is dystonia hereditary
1 Dystonia can be a symptom of other diseases, some of which may be hereditary. 2  Acquired dystonia often plateaus and does not spread to other parts of the body. 3  Dystonia that occurs as a result of medications often ceases if the medications are stopped quickly. DYT1 dystonia is a rare form of dominantly inherited generalized dystonia that can be caused by a mutation in the DYT1 gene. 2  This form of dystonia typically begins in childhood, affects the limbs first, and progresses, often causing significant disability.