Mioklonie
Objawy

Mioklonie to nagłe, krótkotrwałe, mimowolne skurcze mięśni o charakterze gwałtownych wstrząsów, które mogą mieć różną etiologię – od samoistnych, często genetycznych i łagodnych, po objawowe związane z chorobami układu nerwowego, metabolicznymi, toksycznymi czy autoimmunologicznymi. Występują w formach ogniskowych lub uogólnionych, mogą być wywoływane przez bodźce zewnętrzne (hałas, światło, ruch) lub pojawiać się spontanicznie. Mioklonie padaczkowe, np. w zespole Lennoxa-Gastauta czy postępującej padaczce mioklonicznej (PME), charakteryzują się nasileniem objawów i postępującą niepełnosprawnością. W przebiegu chorób neurodegeneracyjnych, takich jak choroba Alzheimera, Parkinsona, Creutzfeldta-Jakoba czy stwardnienie rozsiane, mioklonie mogą pojawiać się jako objaw wtórny, często nasilający się w późniejszych stadiach choroby. Mechanizmy patofizjologiczne obejmują nadmierne pobudzenie kory mózgowej lub formacji siatkowatej, a także uszkodzenia mózgu związane z niedotlenieniem.

Mioklonie – charakterystyka

Mioklonie odnoszą się do szybkich, niekontrolowanych ruchów mięśni o charakterze gwałtownych skurczów. Są to nagłe, krótkotrwałe skurcze mięśni przypominające wstrząsy lub drżenia, których pacjent nie może kontrolować. Czkawka jest jedną z form mioklonii, podobnie jak nagłe szarpnięcia lub „drgnienia przysenne”, które można odczuwać tuż przed zaśnięciem. Te formy mioklonii występują u zdrowych osób i zwykle nie są poważne. Inne formy mioklonii mogą występować z powodu zaburzeń układu nerwowego, takich jak padaczka, zaburzenia metaboliczne lub jako reakcja na leki12.

Charakterystyka objawów

Osoby z miokloniami często opisują swoje objawy jako szarpnięcia, wstrząsy lub skurcze, które mają następujące cechy:123

  • Nagłe
  • Krótkotrwałe
  • Mimowolne
  • Przypominające wstrząs
  • Zmienna intensywność i częstotliwość
  • Występujące w jednej części ciała lub w całym ciele
  • Czasami wystarczająco nasilone, aby utrudniać jedzenie, mówienie lub chodzenie

23

Mioklonie mogą być łagodne lub ciężkie. Mięśnie mogą drgać szybko lub wolno, rytmicznie lub nieregularnie. Mioklonie mogą występować od czasu do czasu lub często. Mogą pojawiać się spontanicznie lub być wywoływane przez bodziec, taki jak nagły hałas, światło lub ruch. Na przykład sięganie po przedmiot lub wykonywanie kroku może wyzwalać drgania, które zakłócają ruch4.

Mioklonie mogą wpływać na małą okolicę (mioklonie ogniskowe lub segmentalne), taką jak jedna ręka, lub mogą wywoływać gwałtowne szarpnięcia całego ciała (mioklonie uogólnione). W cięższych przypadkach mioklonie mogą zniekształcać ruch i poważnie ograniczać zdolność osoby do chodzenia, mówienia i jedzenia5.

Rodzaje mioklonii

Mioklonie dzieli się na różne rodzaje w zależności od przyczyny. Określenie rodzaju mioklonii pomaga w ustaleniu leczenia6.

Mioklonie samoistne

Mioklonie samoistne występują same z siebie, zwykle bez innych objawów i bez związku z jakąkolwiek chorobą podstawową. Przyczyna mioklonii samoistnych jest często nieznana. W niektórych przypadkach przyczyna jest dziedziczna, co oznacza, że jest przekazywana w rodzinie6. Ten genetyczny rodzaj mioklonii nie jest szkodliwy i zazwyczaj nie pogarsza się z czasem7.

Mioklonie objawowe

Mioklonie objawowe wynikają z choroby podstawowej. Są czasami nazywane miokloniami wtórnymi. Przykłady obejmują:86

  • Uraz głowy lub rdzenia kręgowego
  • Infekcje
  • Niewydolność nerek lub wątroby
  • Zaburzenia spichrzania lipidów
  • Zatrucie chemiczne lub lekowe
  • Przedłużony niedobór tlenu
  • Reakcja na leki
  • Autoimmunologiczne stany zapalne
  • Zaburzenia metaboliczne
  • COVID-19

8

Choroby układu nerwowego, które powodują mioklonie wtórne, obejmują:86

  • Udar
  • Guz mózgu
  • Choroba Huntingtona
  • Choroba Creutzfeldta-Jakoba
  • Choroba Alzheimera
  • Choroba Parkinsona i otępienie z ciałami Lewy’ego
  • Zwyrodnienie korowo-podstawne
  • Otępienie czołowo-skroniowe
  • Zanik wieloukładowy

86

Mioklonie padaczkowe

Mioklonie padaczkowe występują jako część zaburzeń padaczkowych9. Mioklonie mogą występować z lub z powodu napadów (szczególnie napady miokloniczne). Dotyczy to napadów związanych z różnymi formami padaczki, takimi jak zespół Lennoxa-Gastauta lub młodzieńcza padaczka miokloniczna7.

Postępująca padaczka miokloniczna (PME) to grupa rzadkich zaburzeń charakteryzujących się napadami mioklonicznymi i innymi objawami neurologicznymi, takimi jak trudności z chodzeniem lub mówieniem. Te zaburzenia często pogarszają się z czasem i czasami mogą być śmiertelne10. PME zazwyczaj rozpoczyna się w dzieciństwie lub okresie dojrzewania. Dziecko z postępującą padaczką miokloniczną będzie miało rosnącą liczbę i różne rodzaje napadów wraz z wiekiem. Ta forma mioklonii wiąże się z postępującą utratą umiejętności rozwojowych i niepełnosprawnością11.

Przyczyny mioklonii

Mioklonie mogą być spowodowane różnymi problemami podstawowymi. Zazwyczaj powstają w wyniku zakłócenia pracy mózgu lub rdzenia kręgowego10. Badania sugerują, że mioklonie zwykle zaczynają się w korze mózgowej, jednak naukowcy jeszcze nie w pełni rozumieją konkretne czynniki, które powodują mioklonie10.

Konkretne mechanizmy leżące u podstaw mioklonii nie są jeszcze w pełni zrozumiałe12. Mioklonie często są spowodowane uszkodzeniem mózgu, które wynika z braku tlenu i przepływu krwi do mózgu, gdy oddychanie lub bicie serca zostaje tymczasowo zatrzymane. Nadmierne pobudzenie kory czuciowo-ruchowej (mioklonia odruchowa korowa) lub formacji siatkowatej (mioklonia odruchowa siatkowata) jest również przyczyną mioklonii ruchowej13.

Czynniki wyzwalające

Mioklonie mogą występować w spoczynku, podczas utrzymywania postawy lub podczas ruchu5. Mogą być wyzwalane przez różne czynniki, takie jak:

  • Stres i niepokój – znane są jako czynniki nasilające objawy14
  • Ruchy zamierzone – mioklonie ruchowe są wyzwalane przez ruch i mogą stać się bardziej nasilone w pewnych momentach, szczególnie gdy pacjent próbuje wykonać bardzo precyzyjny i ostrożny ruch15
  • Bodźce zewnętrzne – takie jak hałas, ruch lub światło16
  • Zmęczenie i brak snu17
  • Bezruch18
  • Ból lub inne stymulacje sensoryczne18

Progresja mioklonii

Przebieg mioklonii może się różnić w zależności od przyczyny podstawowej. Niektóre formy mioklonii pozostają stabilne, podczas gdy te spowodowane zaburzeniami mózgu mogą zmieniać się z czasem, a objawy mogą się pogarszać11.

Początek i rozwijanie się objawów

Mioklonie często zaczynają się w dzieciństwie lub okresie dojrzewania5, jednak mogą również pojawić się po raz pierwszy w dorosłości19. Mioklonie funkcjonalne często zaczynają się dość nagle (w około dwóch trzecich przypadków), ale mogą rozwijać się stopniowo20.

Objawy mioklonii mogą być łagodne lub ciężkie. Mogą się one zacząć w dzieciństwie lub w wieku dorosłym21. Nasilenie mioklonii może wahać się od łagodnego do ciężkiego. Mogą rozpocząć się we wczesnym dzieciństwie. Te rzadkie zaburzenia często pogarszają się z czasem i czasami mogą być śmiertelne21.

Wzorce progresji

Objawy mają tendencję do nasilania się z czasem15. W niektórych przypadkach mioklonie zaczynają się w jednym regionie ciała, a następnie rozprzestrzeniają się na mięśnie w innych obszarach22.

Niektóre rodzaje mioklonii mogą przebiegać w sposób jednofazowy lub jako przewlekłe nawroty, a dzieci często mają długotrwałe fizyczne, behawioralne i poznawcze następstwa23. Mogą mieć nawrót objawów neurologicznych10.

W przypadku mioklonii i dystonii (zespół mioklonia-dystonia), problemy z ruchem zazwyczaj po raz pierwszy pojawiają się w dzieciństwie lub wczesnym okresie dojrzewania wraz z rozwojem mioklonii. W większości przypadków problemy z ruchem pozostają stabilne przez całe życie. U niektórych dorosłych mioklonie poprawiają się po spożyciu alkoholu, co może prowadzić do samoleczenia i rozwoju zaburzeń związanych z używaniem alkoholu19.

W zespole mioklonii-dystonii objawy mogą znacznie różnić się między osobami, nawet w tej samej rodzinie. Osoby z tym zespołem zgłaszają wahania nasilenia objawów, epizodyczne nasilenie objawów ruchu (z lub bez zdarzenia wyzwalającego), objawy oddechowe i upośledzenie głosu24.

Ciężkie przypadki i rokowania

W cięższych przypadkach mioklonie mogą zniekształcać ruch i poważnie ograniczać zdolność osoby do jedzenia, mówienia lub chodzenia. Te rodzaje mioklonii mogą wskazywać na podstawowe zaburzenie mózgu lub nerwów25.

Mioklonie mogą powodować poważną niepełnosprawność. Pomimo dostępności różnorodnych interwencji farmakologicznych i innych, które są przynajmniej częściowo skuteczne, leczenie mioklonii pozostaje wyzwaniem26.

Mioklonie mogą być przyczyną znacznej niepełnosprawności, a upośledzenia mogą obejmować problemy z chodem, codziennymi czynnościami i prawdopodobnie pojawienie się nieznośnej frustracji, która z kolei może wywołać objawy depresyjne26.

W przypadku choroby zwanej zespołem niewydolności nerek z mioklonią ruchową (AMRF), objawy ruchowe związane z tym zespołem zazwyczaj zaczynają się od mimowolnych rytmicznych drżeń palców i rąk, które występują w spoczynku i są najbardziej zauważalne podczas próby wykonania małych ruchów, takich jak pisanie. Z czasem drżenia mogą wpływać na inne części ciała, takie jak głowa, tułów, nogi i język. W końcu drżenia pogarszają się, stając się szarpnięciami mioklonicznymi, które mogą być wyzwalane przez ruchy dobrowolne lub zamiar ruchu (mioklonia ruchowa). AMRF zwykle zaczyna powodować objawy między 15 a 25 rokiem życia, ale może pojawić się w młodszym lub starszym wieku. Wiek wystąpienia i przebieg choroby różnią się, nawet wśród członków tej samej rodziny. Większość osób przeżywa od 7 do 15 lat po pojawieniu się objawów27.

Mioklonie w chorobach neurodegeneracyjnych

Mioklonie są częstym objawem w wielu chorobach neurodegeneracyjnych, chociaż tylko rzadko pomagają w analizie diagnostyki różnicowej podstawowego zaburzenia neurodegeneracyjnego26.

Choroba Alzheimera

W chorobie Alzheimera mioklonie mogą pojawić się w środkowym lub późnym stadium choroby. Te mioklonie są zwykle wieloogniskowe, występujące zarówno w spoczynku, jak i podczas aktywności28.

U osób z chorobą Alzheimera mioklonie mogą powodować drżenie ramion, nóg lub całego ciała29.

Choroba Parkinsona

Mioklonie mogą rozwijać się u osób z chorobą Parkinsona22. Osoby z chorobą Parkinsona mogą również mieć problemy z układem moczowym i jelitowym, zmiany poznawcze oraz trudności ze spaniem30.

Choroba Creutzfeldta-Jakoba

Mioklonie, które występują, gdy osoby są nagle przestraszone (mioklonie przestraszeniowe), mogą być wczesnym objawem choroby Creutzfeldta-Jakoba (rzadkiego zaburzenia, które powoduje zwyrodnienie mózgu)431.

W prawie wszystkich przypadkach, w których mioklonie są spowodowane chorobą OUN, poprzedzają je inne objawy; na przykład w CJD jest to ogólnie późny objaw kliniczny, który pojawia się po tym, jak u pacjenta zaczęły już występować poważne deficyty neurologiczne3233.

Inne choroby neurodegeneracyjne

Mioklonie drgania mogą rozwijać się u osób ze stwardnieniem rozsianym, chorobą Parkinsona, chorobą Alzheimera lub chorobą Creutzfeldta-Jakoba22. Mioklonie mogą być objawem towarzyszącym innym stanom medycznym, w tym chorobie Parkinsona, chorobie Creutzfeldta-Jakoba, stwardnieniu rozsianemu, chorobie Alzheimera i innym rodzajom otępienia, autoimmunologicznemu zapaleniu mózgu34.

Udokumentowane są przypadki mioklonii rdzeniowej spowodowanej zmianami demielinizacyjnymi w obrębie szyjnego odcinka rdzenia kręgowego, obejmujące zarówno bark, jak i ramię jako początkowy objaw pierwotnie postępującego stwardnienia rozsianego, stanowiąc tym samym istotne wyzwanie diagnostyczne35.

Leczenie mioklonii

Leczenie mioklonii jest najskuteczniejsze, jeśli można znaleźć i leczyć odwracalną przyczynę podstawową. Na przykład leczenie może koncentrować się na innej chorobie, leku lub toksynie, które powodują mioklonie36.

Jednak w większości przypadków przyczyna podstawowa nie może być wyleczona lub wyeliminowana. W takich przypadkach leczenie ma na celu zmniejszenie objawów mioklonii, szczególnie gdy są one upośledzające. Nie ma leków specjalnie zaprojektowanych do leczenia mioklonii. Jednakże leczenie innych chorób może pomóc złagodzić objawy mioklonii. Do kontrolowania objawów może być potrzebny więcej niż jeden lek36.

Leki stosowane w leczeniu mioklonii

Leki, które lekarze powszechnie przepisują na mioklonie, obejmują:3736

  • Leki uspokajające – Klonazepam (Klonopin), lek uspokajający, jest najczęściej stosowanym lekiem w leczeniu objawów mioklonii37
  • Leki przeciwdrgawkowe – Leki stosowane w leczeniu mioklonii zwykle mają właściwości przeciwdrgawkowe12
  • Inne leki – Jeśli niepełnosprawność z powodu mioklonii nie jest odpowiednio złagodzona przez oba te leki, można dodać leki takie jak lewetyracetam (Keppra), który jest również bardzo skuteczny w leczeniu mioklonii12

Chociaż klonazepam i walproinian sodu są skuteczne u większości osób z miokloniami, niektóre osoby mają niepożądane reakcje na te leki. Korzystne działanie klonazepamu może zmniejszać się z czasem, jeśli osoba rozwinie tolerancję na lek25.

Inne metody leczenia

Gdy leki zawodzą, można zastosować toksyna botulinową12. Wstrzyknięcia toksyny botulinowej (Botox) mogą pomóc w leczeniu różnych form mioklonii, szczególnie jeśli dotknięta jest tylko jeden obszar37.

Jeśli objawy mioklonii są spowodowane guzem lub zmianą w mózgu lub rdzeniu kręgowym, operacja może być opcją37. Osoby z miokloniami dotykającymi części twarzy lub uszu również mogą odnieść korzyści z operacji36.

Rzadko rozważa się interwencję chirurgiczną znaną jako głęboka stymulacja mózgu (DBS) jako ostateczność dla pewnych form mioklonii12. Głęboka stymulacja mózgu została zastosowana u niektórych osób z miokloniami i innymi zaburzeniami ruchu37.

Leczenie mioklonii rdzeniowej obejmuje stosowanie uznanych środków przeciwmioklonicznych, w tym klonazepamu, lewetyracetamu, kwasu walproinowego lub tyzanidyny, chociaż dowody potwierdzające ich skuteczność są ograniczone38.

Wyzwania w leczeniu

Ponieważ mioklonie są tak złożone, nierzadko próbuje się więcej niż jednego leczenia lub potrzebuje konsultacji z różnymi rodzajami lekarzy15.

Leczenie mioklonii jest dość trudne20. Choć leki mogą być pomocne w łagodzeniu ciężkich objawów mioklonii, mogą wystąpić skutki uboczne, takie jak senność, zawroty głowy, zmęczenie i brak stabilności. Ponadto korzyści z niektórych leków mogą zmniejszać się przy przyjmowaniu przez długie okresy39.

Złożone pochodzenie mioklonii może wymagać stosowania wielu leków w celu skutecznego leczenia40.

Kolejne rozdziały

Zapraszamy do dalszego czytania naszego leksykonu.

Wybierz kolejny rozdział z menu poniżej, aby otworzyć nową podstronę kompedium wiedzy i uzyskać szczegółowe informację o leku, substancji lub chorobie.

  1. 10.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Myoclonus – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myoclonus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350459
    Myoclonus refers to a quick jerking movement that you can’t control. Hiccups are a form of myoclonus, as are the sudden jerks or „sleep starts” that you may feel just before falling asleep. These forms of myoclonus occur in healthy people and usually aren’t serious. […] Other forms of myoclonus may occur because of a nervous system disorder, such as epilepsy, a metabolic condition, or a reaction to a medicine. […] People with myoclonus often describe their symptoms as jerks, shakes or spasms that are: Sudden, Brief, Involuntary, Shock-like, Variable in intensity and frequency, Occurring in one part of the body or all over the body, Sometimes severe enough to interfere with eating, speaking or walking. […] If your myoclonus symptoms become frequent and persistent, talk to your health care provider about a diagnosis and treatment options.
  • #2
    https://www.kuh.ku.edu.tr/mayo-clinic-care-network/mayo-clinic-health-information-library/diseases-conditions/myoclonus
    Myoclonus refers to a quick jerking movement that you can’t control. Hiccups are a form of myoclonus, as are the sudden jerks or „sleep starts” that you may feel just before falling asleep. These forms of myoclonus occur in healthy people and usually aren’t serious. […] Other forms of myoclonus may occur because of a nervous system disorder, such as epilepsy, a metabolic condition, or a reaction to a medicine. […] People with myoclonus often describe their symptoms as jerks, shakes or spasms that are: Sudden, Brief, Involuntary, Shock-like, Variable in intensity and frequency, Occurring in one part of the body or all over the body, Sometimes severe enough to interfere with eating, speaking or walking. […] If your myoclonus symptoms become frequent and persistent, talk to your health care provider about a diagnosis and treatment options.
  • #3 Myoclonus | Beacon Health System
    https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/myoclonus?content_id=CON-20155102
    These uncontrollable jerking motions, which include normal hiccups and „sleep starts,” can be disabling when caused by an underlying health condition. […] Myoclonus refers to a quick jerking movement that you can’t control. […] People with myoclonus often describe their symptoms as jerks, shakes or spasms that are: Sudden, Brief, Involuntary, Shock-like, Variable in intensity and frequency, Occurring in one part of the body or all over the body, Sometimes severe enough to interfere with eating, speaking or walking. […] If your myoclonus symptoms become frequent and persistent, talk to your health care provider about a diagnosis and treatment options. […] Treatment of myoclonus works best if you can stop the problem that’s causing it. […] Most of the time, however, the underlying cause can’t be cured or eliminated. In these cases, treatment is aimed at reducing myoclonus symptoms, especially when they’re disabling.
  • #4 Myoclonus – Brain, Spinal Cord, and Nerve Disorders – Merck Manual Consumer Version
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain-spinal-cord-and-nerve-disorders/movement-disorders/myoclonus
    Myoclonus can be mild or severe. Muscles may jerk quickly or slowly, rhythmically or not. Myoclonus may occur once in a while or frequently. It may occur spontaneously or be triggered by a stimulus, such as a sudden noise, light, or a movement. For example, reaching for an object or taking a step may trigger jerks that disrupt the movement. […] Myoclonus that occurs when people are suddenly startled (startle myoclonus) may be an early symptom of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (a rare disorder that causes the brain to degenerate). […] If myoclonus is due to a metabolic disorder, the face, upper arms, and thighs are usually affected. If it persists, it may affect muscles throughout the body, sometimes leading to seizures.
  • #5 Myoclonus | Baylor Medicine
    https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/neurology/parkinsons-disease-and-movement-disorders/myoclonus
    Myoclonus may affect a small region (focal or segmental myoclonus), such as one hand, or may produce violent jerks over the entire body (generalized myoclonus). […] In more severe cases, myoclonus can distort movement and severely limit a persons ability to walk, talk and eat. […] Myoclonus can occur at rest, when maintaining posture, or during action. […] Myoclonus tends to arise during childhood or adolescence. The rare disorders that comprise PME often get worse over time and are sometimes fatal. […] Lafora body disease is characterized by myoclonus, epileptic seizures, and dementia (progressive loss of memory and other intellectual functions). […] Unverricht-Lundborg disease, also called Baltic myoclonic epilepsy (PME type 1), is another form of PME that is also inherited as an autosomal recessive fashion. Its symptoms are similar to Lafora body disease but have a slow progression.
  • #6
    https://www.kuh.ku.edu.tr/mayo-clinic-care-network/mayo-clinic-health-information-library/diseases-conditions/myoclonus
    Myoclonus may be caused by a variety of underlying problems. It is commonly separated into different types based on what is causing it. The cause can help determine treatment. […] Essential myoclonus occurs on its own, usually without other symptoms and without being related to any underlying illness. The cause of essential myoclonus is often unknown. In some cases, the cause is hereditary, meaning passed down in families. […] Symptomatic myoclonus results from an underlying medical condition. It is sometimes called secondary myoclonus. […] Nervous system conditions that result in secondary myoclonus include: Stroke, Brain tumor, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, Corticobasal degeneration, Frontotemporal dementia, Multiple system atrophy.
  • #7 Myoclonus: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/15301-myoclonus-muscle-twitch
    Myoclonus is an uncontrollable muscle movement thats sudden and brief. This can happen for a wide range of reasons. […] Myoclonus can happen in people who are healthy at some point in their life. However, its also a possible symptom of several medical conditions, some of which are serious. […] Myoclonus can happen with or because of seizures (especially myoclonic seizures). This includes seizures due to different forms of epilepsy, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. […] When myoclonus is a symptom of another condition, experts call this secondary myoclonus. […] Essential myoclonus is a condition that runs in families. This genetic form of myoclonus isnt harmful and usually doesnt get worse over time. […] If myoclonus keeps happening especially if it starts disrupting your usual activities and routine you should see a healthcare provider. Myoclonus that disrupts your life may be a sign of more serious issues.
  • #8 Myoclonus – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myoclonus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350459
    Myoclonus may be caused by a variety of underlying problems. It is commonly separated into different types based on what is causing it. The cause can help determine treatment. […] Symptomatic myoclonus results from an underlying medical condition. It is sometimes called secondary myoclonus. Examples include: Head or spinal cord injury, Infection, Kidney or liver failure, Lipid storage disease, Chemical or drug poisoning, Prolonged oxygen deprivation, Medicine reaction, Autoimmune inflammatory conditions, Metabolic disorders, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). […] Nervous system conditions that result in secondary myoclonus include: Stroke, Brain tumor, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, Corticobasal degeneration, Frontotemporal dementia, Multiple system atrophy.
  • #9 Myoclonus – Hancock Health
    https://www.hancockhealth.org/mayo-health-library/myoclonus/
    Myoclonus may be caused by a variety of underlying problems. It is commonly separated into different types based on what is causing it. The cause can help determine treatment. […] Essential myoclonus occurs on its own, usually without other symptoms and without being related to any underlying illness. The cause of essential myoclonus is often unknown. In some cases, the cause is hereditary, meaning passed down in families. […] This type of myoclonus occurs as part of an epileptic disorder. […] Symptomatic myoclonus results from an underlying medical condition. It is sometimes called secondary myoclonus. […] Nervous system conditions that result in secondary myoclonus include: Stroke, Brain tumor, Huntingtons disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and Lewy body dementia, Corticobasal degeneration, Frontotemporal dementia, Multiple system atrophy.
  • #10 Myoclonus | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
    https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/myoclonus
    Myoclonus usually happens from a disruption of the brain or spinal cord. […] It usually involves more persistent and severe symptoms which may limit a persons ability to eat, talk, or walk. […] Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is a group of rare disorders that involve myoclonic seizures and other neurologic symptoms such as trouble walking or speaking. These disorders often get worse over time and sometimes are fatal. […] Essential myoclonus, which happens on its own and is not caused by abnormalities in the brain or nerves. It is usually stable and doesnt get worse over time, or progresses very slowly. […] Studies suggest that myoclonus usually begins in the cerebral cortex. However, scientists dont yet fully understand the specific factors that cause myoclonus. […] Some may have a relapse of neurological symptoms. […] Findings may lead to improvements in disease diagnosis and treatment.
  • #11 Pediatric myoclonus in Infants and Newborns – Children’s Health Neurology
    https://www.childrens.com/specialties-services/conditions/myoclonus
    This rare form begins in childhood and gets worse with time. A child with progressive myoclonus epilepsy will have an increasing number and different types of seizures as they age. This form of myoclonus is associated with progressive loss of developmental skills and disability. […] It depends on what is causing the symptoms. Some forms of myoclonus stay stable. Those caused by a brain disorder may change with time, and the symptoms may get worse.
  • #12 Myoclonus | Baylor Medicine
    https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/neurology/parkinsons-disease-and-movement-disorders/myoclonus
    The specific mechanisms underlying myoclonus are not yet fully understood. […] If myoclonus persists despite eliminating treatable causes, then the treatment of myoclonus otherwise focuses on medications help reduce symptoms. […] The drugs used to treat myoclonus usually possess anti-seizure properties. […] If disability from the myoclonus is not adequately improved on either or both of these medications, then medications such as levetiracetam (Keppra) can be added, which is also very effective in treating myoclonus. […] When medications fail, botulinum toxin can be used. […] Rarely, surgical intervention known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) is considered as a last resort for certain forms of myoclonus.
  • #13 Myoclonus: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
    https://manhattanmedicalarts.com/conditions-symptoms/myoclonus
    Myoclonus symptoms can vary in severity and frequency. These spasms can happen occasionally or repeatedly, affecting specific body areas or all muscles. The symptoms depend on the underlying cause. […] Common signs of myoclonus include: Unexpected and sudden myoclonic jerks or spasms, Short-lasting movement disorders, Unable to control or predict, Resembling sudden shock-like movements, Varying in strength and frequency, Affecting one part of the body or the entire body, Disrupting normal eating, talking, or movement disorders. […] Myoclonus often is caused by brain damage that results from a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain when breathing or heartbeat is temporarily stopped. Over-excitement of the sensorimotor cortex (cortical reflex myoclonus) or reticular formation (reticular reflex myoclonus) is also a cause of action myoclonus.
  • #14
    https://www.dystonia.org.uk/pages/faqs/category/myoclonus-dystonia
    Myoclonus dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterised by the combination of dystonia (continuous or intermittent muscle contractions which cause abnormal, often painful, repetitive movements) usually in the arms, trunk, and neck with myoclonus. Myoclonus is the term used to describe brief lightning-like jerks by the body. […] Symptoms of myoclonus dystonia include: abnormal, sometimes painful, repetitive movements usually in the arms, trunk, and neck; myoclonic jerks; psychological symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety or lowered mood (depression). (These psychological impacts are more likely if the myoclonus dystonia is caused by a mutation within the DYT11 gene.) […] Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate the symptoms. […] Myoclonus dystonia usually starts at a young age, between 0-20 years old. […] You may need to find ways to adapt and might have to learn new ways to complete everyday tasks. However, it is possible to live well with the condition and Dystonia UK is here to support you through all stages including initial onset, diagnosis, finding treatment and beyond.
  • #15 Myoclonus: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
    https://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/myoclonus-muscle-twitching
    Myoclonus spasms aren’t easy to define because they vary so much from one person to another. Generally speaking, they: […] The symptoms tend to get more intense over time. […] Action myoclonus is triggered by movement and could become more severe at times, especially when you’re trying to move very precisely and carefully. […] Because myoclonus is so complex, it’s not uncommon to try more than one treatment or need to see different types of doctors.
  • #16 Sleep Myoclonus: Causes and How to Stop It
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-sleep-myoclonus-3014807
    Sleep myoclonus is defined as a brief, involuntary twitching or jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. It typically occurs as a person is falling asleep or during sleep. […] The symptoms of sleep myoclonus are difficult to miss. In addition to twitching and jerking, the signs might also be called shakes, spasms, or contractions. And they can happen in all sorts of ways: once or many times in a row, a single episode or many times a night, in a pattern or not. […] Sleep myoclonus occurs during the early stages of sleep, especially at the moment of dropping off to sleep. It may be triggered by external stimuli such as noise, movement, or light. […] Myoclonus in adults may be triggered by: […] Neurological disease: Myoclonus may develop as a symptom of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer’s disease, celiac disease, epilepsy, and more.
  • #17 Spinal Myoclonus and MS – Symptoms and treatments – MS Society UK | Forum
    https://forum.mssociety.org.uk/t/spinal-myoclonus-and-ms/68230
    Hiya, this is my first time posting! I wondered if anyone had experience with spinal myoclonus? […] I started experiencing involuntary jerks from my pelvis/lower back area. […] The jerks have continued throughout. […] I have just started having myoclonus in my latest relapse. […] I do also get it in my legs and back but it is fairly mild for me, fortunately! […] I still have what we think is spinal myoclonus. […] My neurologist said there are other meds which could control the jerks, so Im considering trying something else, especially as it looks like Im going to be taking these long term. […] My symptoms were agreed to be a relapse and I seem to only ever get partial recovery from relapses now. […] Staying still, stress, tiredness etc definitely make it much worse. […] I just want an answer even if its ms I just want to know.
  • #18 Neurological symptoms
    https://www.rch.org.au/rch_palliative/for_health_professionals/Neurological_symptoms/
    Myoclonus, the brief and irregular contraction of all or part of a muscle, can occur as a result of immobility, pain, or other sensory stimulation. […] Treatment of myoclonus may not be necessary if it is not troubling the patient. If required it may be appropriate to reduce the dose of opioid, change the route of administration or change to another drug. […] Individually, neurodegenerative diseases are rare but as a group they account for a large proportion of children who require palliative care. The aetiology of neurodegenerative disorders is varied but metabolic and other genetic abnormalities are major causes. For some children a specific cause can not be identified. Children with neurodegenerative conditions tend to have protracted courses. They are often well at the time of diagnosis with the slow and insidious onset of symptoms. Their clinical condition then deteriorates inexorably and many children spend long periods in states of high dependency.
  • #19 Myoclonus-dystonia: MedlinePlus GeneticsLock
    https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/myoclonus-dystonia/
    Myoclonus-dystonia is a movement disorder that typically affects the neck, torso, and arms. Individuals with this condition experience quick, involuntary muscle jerks or twitches (myoclonus). About half of individuals with myoclonus-dystonia develop dystonia, which is involuntary tensing of various muscles that causes unusual positioning. In myoclonus-dystonia, dystonia often affects one or both hands, causing writer’s cramp, or the neck, causing the head to turn (torticollis). […] The movement problems usually first appear in childhood or early adolescence with the development of myoclonus. In most cases, the movement problems remain stable throughout life. In some adults, myoclonus improves with alcohol consumption, which can lead to affected individuals self-medicating and developing alcohol use disorder. […] People with myoclonus-dystonia often develop psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
  • #20 Functional Jerks and Twitches – Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
    https://neurosymptoms.org/en/symptoms/fnd-symptoms/functional-jerks-and-twitches/
    Functional myoclonus refers to sudden jerky or shock-like movements that occur as part of a functional movement disorder. […] Myoclonus is a symptom found in a wide range of neurological diseases as well as some normal states. […] The occasional hypnic jerk or a body shudder is normal. But in functional myoclonus the jerks become a frequent and disabling problem. […] Functional myoclonus often begins quite suddenly (in around two-thirds of cases) but may be gradual. It affects patients somewhat later than some of the other symptoms described on this website. […] Over half of patients with functional myoclonus describe warning symptoms before some of their jerks. […] The treatment of functional myoclonus is quite challenging. […] Unfortunately, many patients with functional myoclonus find that it is a problem which persists. But its certainly worth trying to improve it. Even knowing what it is can give people valuable peace of mind.
  • #21 Myoclonus Fact Sheet | Ability Central
    https://abilitycentral.org/article/myoclonus-fact-sheet
    Myoclonus can begin in childhood or adulthood, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. […] More severe cases can affect movement and severely limit a persons ability to eat, talk, or walk. […] Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is a group of disorders characterized by myoclonic seizures and other neurologic symptoms such as trouble walking or speaking. These rare disorders often get worse over time and sometimes are fatal. One of its many forms is Lafora body disease (or Lafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy), which is characterized by myoclonic seizures, progressive loss of memory, and impaired intellectual functions.
  • #22
    https://www.sfn.org/sitecore/content/home/brainfacts2/diseases-and-disorders/neurological-disorders-az/diseases-a-to-z-from-ninds/myoclonus
    Myoclonus refers to a sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. […] Myoclonic jerking may develop in people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. […] In some cases, myoclonus begins in one region of the body and spreads to muscles in other areas. More severe cases of myoclonus can distort movement and severely limit a person’s ability to eat, talk, or walk. These types of myoclonus may indicate an underlying disorder in the brain or nerves. […] The beneficial effects of clonazepam may diminish over time if the individual develops a tolerance for the drug.
  • #23 Azthena logo with the word Azthena
    https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Opsoclonus-Myoclonus-Syndrome.aspx
    Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a rare neuroimmunological disorder in children and adults. Symptoms include rapid multidirectional conjugate eye movements (opsoclonus), myoclonus, tremors, encephalopathy, and cerebellar ataxia. […] Involuntary, oscillating eye movements (opsoclonus), multifocal muscle jerks (myoclonus), and severe ataxia are all symptoms of the condition. Furthermore, neuropsychological abnormalities are observed. In the acute stage, ataxia can cause an inability to walk due to both trunk and limb ataxia. Although opsoclonus and myoclonus are the most noticeable symptoms, they may not always be present. […] The disease can progress in a monophasic or chronic relapsing pattern, and children are frequently left with long-term physical, behavioral, and cognitive consequences.
  • #24 Myoclonus Dystonia | Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
    https://dystonia-foundation.org/what-is-dystonia/types-dystonia/myoclonus-dystonia/
    Myoclonus-Dystonia (M-D) is a movement disorder characterized by a combination of rapid, brief muscle contractions (myoclonus) and/or sustained twisting and repetitive movements that result in abnormal postures (dystonia). […] The myoclonus jerks typical of M-D most often affect the neck, trunk, and upper limbs. Approximately 50% of affected individuals have dystonia affecting the neck and/or hand. In some cases, dystonia is the only movement symptom. Some individuals have tremor. […] Symptoms can vary significantly among individuals, including within the same family. Individuals with M-D report fluctuation of symptom severity, episodic escalation of movement symptoms (with or without trigger event), respiratory symptoms, and voice impairment. […] Symptoms typically begin in childhood or early adolescence but may also first appear in adulthood. Many individuals experience a dramatic decrease of the myoclonus jerking symptoms, and sometimes improvement of dystonia, upon ingesting alcohol.
  • #25
    https://blog.eneuro.org/sitecore/content/Home/BrainFacts2/Diseases-and-Disorders/Neurological-Disorders-AZ/Diseases-A-to-Z-from-NINDS/Myoclonus
    Myoclonus may involve persistent, shock-like contractions in a group of muscles. […] Myoclonic jerking may develop in people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. […] More severe cases of myoclonus can distort movement and severely limit a person’s ability to eat, talk, or walk. […] These types of myoclonus may indicate an underlying disorder in the brain or nerves. […] Although clonazepam and sodium valproate are effective in the majority of people with myoclonus, some people have adverse reactions to these drugs. […] The beneficial effects of clonazepam may diminish over time if the individual develops a tolerance for the drug.
  • #26 Myoclonus – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537015/
    Myoclonus is a frequent sign in neurodegenerative diseases of many sorts, although only rarely does it aid in parsing the differential diagnosis of the underlying neurodegenerative disorder. […] Myoclonus can cause serious disability. Despite the availability of a diverse array of pharmacological and other interventions that are at least partially effective, the treatment of myoclonus remains challenging. […] Myoclonus can be the cause of significant disability, and impairments can include problems with gait, activities of daily living, and possibly the emergence of intolerable frustration, which can, in turn, prompt depressive symptoms.
  • #27 Action myoclonus–renal failure syndrome: MedlinePlus GeneticsLock
    https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/action-myoclonus-renal-failure-syndrome/
    Action myoclonus–renal failure (AMRF) syndrome causes episodes of involuntary muscle jerking or twitching (myoclonus) and, often, kidney (renal) disease. […] The movement problems associated with AMRF syndrome typically begin with involuntary rhythmic shaking (tremor) in the fingers and hands that occurs at rest and is most noticeable when trying to make small movements, such as writing. Over time, tremors can affect other parts of the body, such as the head, torso, legs, and tongue. Eventually, the tremors worsen to become myoclonic jerks, which can be triggered by voluntary movements or the intention to move (action myoclonus). […] AMRF syndrome typically begins causing symptoms between ages 15 and 25, but it can appear at younger or older ages. The age of onset and the course of the condition vary, even among members of the same family. […] Most people survive 7 to 15 years after the symptoms appear.
  • #28 What Is Myoclonus? – Klarity Health Library
    https://my.klarity.health/what-is-myoclonus/
    A myoclonus is a quick, abrupt, and uncontrollable muscle action like a twitch, jerk, or spasm. It lasts for a brief period of time and is caused by muscles that have been activated wrongly. […] However, myoclonus may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as epilepsy, which is a medical condition that causes seizures. […] Therefore, it is crucial to understand myoclonus because it might interfere with daily life and lower one’s quality of life. Symptoms can be managed by treating the underlying illness that is producing myoclonus. […] Patients may initially experience repetitive rhythmic myoclonus (single jerky movements), which will become longer and more spontaneous as their disease progresses. […] In Alzheimers disease, myoclonus may appear in the middle or late stage of the disease. These myoclonuses are usually multifocal, occurring both at rest and during action.
  • #29 Sleep myoclonus: Definition, causes, and treatment
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sleep-myoclonus
    Sleep myoclonus is involuntary, nonrhythmic muscle twitching that occurs either as a person falls asleep or during sleep. The symptoms of sleep myoclonus occur when a person falls asleep or during sleep. It causes unpredictable and involuntary muscle jerks or spasms that may affect a single muscle or multiple muscle groups. […] People with sleep myoclonus may have difficulty falling asleep or experience poor sleep quality. […] Sleep myoclonus can occur by itself or alongside other symptoms of nervous system disorders. […] As the disease progresses, involuntary muscle movements may start affecting a persons sleep. According to a 2019 review, myoclonus, periodic limb movements, and RLS are relatively common conditions among people with Huntingtons disease. […] Those with Alzheimers disease can also experience myoclonus. It causes the arms, legs, or entire body to jerk.
  • #30 Sleep myoclonus: Definition, causes, and treatment
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sleep-myoclonus
    People who have Parkinsons disease may also have urinary and bowel problems, cognitive changes, and difficulty sleeping. […] Sleep myoclonus causes involuntary muscle twitches during sleep or when a person falls asleep. […] Sleep myoclonus can also develop as a result of a sleep disorder or a neurological disorder. […] A person should contact a doctor if they experience widespread or persistent sleep myoclonus.
  • #31 Myoclonus – Neurologic Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/movement-and-cerebellar-disorders/myoclonus
    Myoclonus can vary in amplitude, frequency, and distribution. […] Myoclonus that occurs when patients are suddenly startled (startle myoclonus) may be an early symptom of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. […] Myoclonus due to severe closed head trauma or hypoxic-ischemic brain damage may worsen when patients make purposeful movements (action myoclonus) or may occur spontaneously when movement is limited because of injury. […] Myoclonus due to metabolic disturbances may be multifocal, asymmetric, and stimulus-induced; it usually involves facial or proximal limb muscles. If the disturbance persists, generalized myoclonic jerks and, ultimately, seizures may occur.
  • #32 Myoclonus – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoclonus
    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. […] However, when they appear with more persistence and become more widespread they can be a sign of various neurological disorders. […] In almost all instances in which myoclonus is caused by central nervous system disease it is preceded by other symptoms; for instance, in CJD it is generally a late-stage clinical feature that appears after the patient has already started to exhibit gross neurological deficits. […] The most common types of myoclonus include action, cortical reflex, essential, palatal, those seen in the progressive myoclonus epilepsies, reticular reflex, sleep and stimulus-sensitive. […] Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is a group of diseases characterized by myoclonus, epileptic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and other serious symptoms such as trouble walking or speaking. These rare disorders often get worse over time and can be fatal.
  • #33
    https://www.bionity.com/en/encyclopedia/Myoclonus.html
    Myoclonic jerks may occur alone or in sequence, in a pattern or without pattern. […] In almost all instances in which myoclonus is caused by CNS disease it is preceded by other symptoms; for instance, in CJD it is generally a late-stage clinical feature that appears after the patient has already started to exhibit gross neurological deficits. […] Severe cases of pathologic myoclonus can distort movement and severely limit a person’s ability to sleep, eat, talk, and walk. […] Progressive myoclonic epilepsy includes both myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures. Treatment is not normally successful for any extended period of time. […] Action Myoclonus with its positive and negative myoclonus components is generally considered the most serious.
  • #34 Myoclonus: Types, symptoms, triggers, and more
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/myoclonus
    Myoclonus can occur with no other symptoms and no obvious cause. […] Myoclonus can develop as a symptom of other medical conditions, including Parkinsons disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia, autoimmune encephalitis. […] Myoclonus is the term for sudden muscle jerks, and it has several types and various causes. It may occur by itself or with other symptoms and can range from mild to severe.
  • #35 Spinal Segmental Myoclonus in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis | Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements
    https://tremorjournal.org/articles/10.5334/tohm.862
    A 57-year-old woman with primary progressive multiple sclerosis developed spinal segmental myoclonus associated with focal myelitis. […] One year later, she developed brief but annoying spontaneous contractions of her left arm that worsened during periods of stress or increased activity. […] She was diagnosed with segmental spinal myoclonus associated with focal myelitis. […] Spinal myoclonus is characterized by involuntary, brief, semi-rhythmic contractions of muscles belonging to a spinal segment. […] They are frequently precipitated by fatigue and stress and wane during sleep. […] There are documented cases of spinal myoclonus due to demyelinating lesions within the cervical spinal cord, involving both the shoulder and arm as the initial manifestation of primary progressive MS, thus presenting a significant diagnostic challenge.
  • #36
    https://www.kuh.ku.edu.tr/mayo-clinic-care-network/mayo-clinic-health-information-library/diseases-conditions/myoclonus
    Treatment of myoclonus works best if you can stop the problem that’s causing it. For example, treatment may focus on another condition, a medicine or a toxin that is causing the myoclonus. […] Most of the time, however, the underlying cause can’t be cured or eliminated. In these cases, treatment is aimed at reducing myoclonus symptoms, especially when they’re disabling. There are no drugs specifically designed to treat myoclonus. But treatments for other diseases may help relieve myoclonus symptoms. More than one drug may be needed to control the symptoms. […] Medicines that health care providers commonly prescribe for myoclonus include: Tranquilizers, Anticonvulsants. […] If myoclonus symptoms are caused by a tumor or lesion in the brain or spinal cord, surgery may be an option. People with myoclonus affecting parts of the face or ear also may benefit from surgery.
  • #37 Myoclonus – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myoclonus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350462
    To diagnose myoclonus, your health care provider reviews your medical history and symptoms and conducts a physical examination. […] Most of the time, however, the underlying cause can’t be cured or eliminated. In these cases, treatment is aimed at reducing myoclonus symptoms, especially when they’re disabling. […] Medicines that health care providers commonly prescribe for myoclonus include: […] Clonazepam (Klonopin), a tranquilizer, is the most common drug used to treat myoclonus symptoms. […] OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections may help treat various forms of myoclonus, particularly if only a single area is affected. […] If myoclonus symptoms are caused by a tumor or lesion in the brain or spinal cord, surgery may be an option. […] Deep brain stimulation has been tried in some people with myoclonus and other movement disorders.
  • #38 Spinal Segmental Myoclonus in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis | Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements
    https://tremorjournal.org/articles/10.5334/tohm.862
    We feel that the segmental myoclonus of our patient was directly attributable to cervical cord demyelinating lesions. […] The potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying spinal myoclonus in MS are thought to involve axonal hyperexcitability and spontaneous neuronal discharge. […] These phenomena may result in the disinhibition of alpha-motor neurons and the disruption of spinal interneuronal circuitry. […] Managing spinal myoclonus involves using established antimyoclonic agents, including clonazepam, levetiracetam, valproic acid, or tizanidine, although the evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. […] In conclusion, although we do not usually focus on movement disorders when evaluating patients with MS, there is a wide range of them.
  • #39 Myoclonus: Causes, Types, and Treatment
    https://www.healthline.com/health/myoclonus
    Myoclonus is a sudden and involuntary muscle spasm. It is usually a symptom of an underlying disorder and can interfere with eating, talking, and walking. […] Symptoms of myoclonus can range from mild to severe. Spasms may occur rarely or often. One region of the body or all muscle groups can be affected. The nature of the symptoms will depend on the underlying condition. […] Typically, signs of myoclonus include jerks or spasms that are: unpredictable, sudden, brief in duration, uncontrollable, similar to shock-like jerks, irregular in intensity and frequency, localized to one part of the body, spread throughout the entire body, interfering with normal eating, speech, or movement. […] Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is a group of diseases that can worsen with time and might become fatal. They often begin in children or adolescents. They cause myoclonus, epileptic seizures, and severe symptoms that can make speech and movement difficult. […] While medications can be helpful in easing severe symptoms of myoclonus, side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue, and unsteadiness may occur. In addition, the benefits of some drugs may decrease when taken for long periods of time.
  • #40 Myoclonus | Handouts | MedLink Neurology
    https://www.medlink.com/handouts/myoclonus
    Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is a group of disorders characterized by myoclonic seizures and other neurologic symptoms such as trouble walking or speaking. […] These rare disorders often get worse over time and sometimes are fatal. […] The complex origins of myoclonus may require the use of multiple medications for effective treatment.