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Myoclonus is a brief, involuntary, irregular (lacking rhythm) twitching of a muscle, a joint, or a group of muscles, different from clonus, which is rhythmic or regular. Myoclonus (myo-"muscle", clonus "spasm") describes a medical sign and, generally, is not a diagnosis of a disease.
Myoclonus is usually classified physiologically to optimize treatment. Myoclonus is a precursor effect to myoclonus dystonia and most commonly begins in childhood or adolescence. [4] [5] Myoclonus is classified as cortical, subcortical, peripheral or spinal. Cortical myoclonus is the most common of these four and affects the upper limbs and face.
Palatal myoclonus is a rare condition in which there are rhythmic jerky movements or a rapid spasm of the palatal (roof of the mouth) muscles. Chronic clonus is often due to lesions of the central tegmental tract (which connects the red nucleus to the ipsilateral inferior olivary nucleus ).
Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsies (PME) are a rare group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases characterized by myoclonus, resistance to treatment, and neurological deterioration. [2] The cause of PME depends largely on the type of PME. Most PMEs are caused by autosomal dominant or recessive and mitochondrial mutations. [2]
The causes of hypnic jerk are yet unclear and under study. None of the several theories that have attempted to explain it have been fully accepted. [ 9 ] One hypothesis posits that the hypnic jerk is a form of reflex , initiated in response to normal bodily events during the lead-up to the first stages of sleep, including a decrease in blood ...
It is a disease that presents Myoclonus as a sequela of hypoxic disorders in the brain due to asphyxiation and cardiopulmonary arrest. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] It is exacerbated by mental and physical anxiety such as intention, intentional movement, and tension.
A more detailed summary of current treatment options can be found at Treatment Options. The following medications should probably be avoided: Midazolam - Can cause irritability. Melatonin - Is known to stimulate the immune system. Also, see "An Innovative Approach to the Problem of Sedating Children with Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome".
In clinical practice, it's important to differentiate FAME from other tremor-related conditions like essential tremor. Early on, patients without significant myoclonus or seizures might be misdiagnosed and receive incorrect treatment. Factors like unresponsiveness to beta-blockers and absence of certain tremors can help with the diagnosis.