Myoclonus

Myoclonus is rapid involuntary muscle spasms that occur as frequently accompanying symptom in a variety of neurological disorders. You are cortical ( cerebral cortex ), subcortical (other regions of the brain) or spinal ( spinal cord ) is generated. You will be counted as extrapyramidal hyperkinesis.

Myoclonus is rhythmic or arrhythmic spasms of local muscle groups, multifocal or generalized. Exercise intensity varied. Frequently fuselage sections near the extremities are affected, but also facial expressions and trunk muscles. If the myoclonus be enhanced or activated by voluntary movement, one speaks of a Aktionsmyoklonus. If they are triggered by external stimuli ( touch, light stimuli, noises), they are called Reflexmyoklonus.

Causes

Myoclonus can have various causes.

Epilepsy

Myoclonus may occur in the context of epilepsy, but is only one of many possible symptoms of epilepsy. Epileptic myoclonus can not be interrupted by outside influences. Here, to recognize the typical pattern for epilepsy in the EEG.

Other diseases

Through various non- epileptic myoclonus diseases can also occur as a symptom. In contrast to epileptic myoclonus myoclonus these are influenced by speech / touch and it show up in the EEG without epileptic pattern.

  • Syncope (about 90% of childhood syncope show myoclonus as a symptom )
  • Simple tics
  • In the context of neurodegenerative diseases
  • Essential myoclonus
  • Shudder attacks ( shuddering attacks)
  • Benign Schlafmyoklonie the infant
  • Benign myoclonus of early childhood

Furthermore occurred ( cortical ) myoclonus in the following diseases on:

  • Creutzfeldt- Jakob disease,
  • Metabolic encephalopathy (hyponatremia, hypokalemia ),
  • Viral encephalitis,
  • Toxic encephalitis (heavy metal, alcohol or prescription drug )
  • Acidurias
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