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Myoclonus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Jean Rivest
Jean Rivest*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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Abstract

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Myoclonus refers to brief muscle jerks caused by neuronal discharges. Etiologies are numerous, ranging from physiological jerks to myoclonus secondary to severe neurodegenerative conditions. The source of myoclonus may be in the cerebral cortex, the brain stem or the spinal cord and multiple generators may be involved in a single patient. The clinical approach to myoclonus relies on both etiological and physiological classifications. Pharmacological therapy is largely based on the presumed site of origin of myoclonus. Polytherapy may be required, particularly in severe cases of cortical myoclonus.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉ

La myoclonie dégne des secousses musculaires brès causé par des déarges neuronales. L’éologie est varié allant de secousses physiologiques àes myoclonies secondaires àes maladies neurodénétrices séres. La source des myoclonies peut provenir du cortex cébral, du tronc cébral ou de la moelle éniè et des sources multiples peuvent coexister chez le mê patient. L’approche clinique est basésur des classifications éologiques et physiologiques. Le traitement pharmacologique est basén grande partie sur le site d’origine prémées myoclonies. Une polythépie peut êe néssaire, particulièment chez les cas séres de myoclonies d’origine corticale.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 30 , supplement S1: A Peer-Reviewed Supplement to the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , February 2003 , pp. S53 - S58
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2003

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