How Do I find clues about where myoclonus is originating?

Latorre, Anna;Hale, Blake;Rocchi, Lorenzo

Ultimo

Writing – Review & Editing

2022-01-01

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Abstract

Myoclonus is defined as a brief and jerky shock-like involuntary movement caused by abrupt muscle contraction or sudden cessation of ongoing muscular activity. Myoclonus can be generated by abnormal activity in different parts of the nervous system, both peripheral and central, including cortical and subcortical structures. According to the presumed neural generator, myoclonus is classified as cortical, subcortical (including myoclonus-dystonia and brainstem/reticular myoclonus), spinal (including segmental spinal and propriospinal myoclonus) and peripheral. The identification of myoclonus subtype, and therefore its potential source, is clinically important as it can guide diagnosis and treatment. In this video lecture we reviewed how to determine myoclonus origin. We first reviewed the clinical features typical of each myoclonus subtype. We then explored the electrophysiological techniques that can aid in the differential diagnosis of myoclonus, based on its origin. In conclusion, we provided a clinical and electrophysiological overview on how to find clues about neural generators of myoclonus.