What is the difference between myoclonus and dystonia?
Myoclonus is a rapid, brief contraction (‘fast lightning jerk’) of one muscle or a group of muscles. Dystonia is characterized by sustained twisting and repetitive movements that may result in abnormal postures. The abnormal movements most often affect the neck, trunk, and the upper limbs.
Is myoclonus dystonia a disability?
Myoclonus dystonia syndrome (MD) is a rare movement disorder that typically begins in childhood and adolescence and often causes disability.
Is myoclonus dystonia progressive?
Most frequently, the disorder appears to be slowly progressive for a few years after onset, stabilizes, and then fluctuates slightly over the years or shows a mild spontaneous improvement. Myoclonus dystonia is often a familial disorder seen in successive generations.
What causes myoclonus dystonia?
Myoclonus dystonia is caused by loss-of-function-mutations in the epsilon sarcoglycan gene (SGCE). The disease is dominantly inherited, however SGCE is an imprinted gene, so only the paternal allele is expressed. Therefore, children suffering from this disease inherit the mutation from the father.
How common is myoclonus-dystonia?
Myoclonus- dystonia syndrome (MDS) is a rare movement disorder characterized by mild to moderate dystonia along with ‘lightning-like’ myoclonic jerks. The estimated prevalence of MDS in Europe is 1/500,000. Disease onset usually occurs in the first or second decade of life.
Is myoclonus a symptom of MS?
Myoclonic jerking may develop in people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Myoclonic jerks commonly occur in persons with epilepsy, a disorder in which the electrical activity in the brain becomes disordered and leads to seizures.
How do I get rid of myoclonus?
Treatment
- Tranquilizers. Clonazepam (Klonopin), a tranquilizer, is the most common drug used to combat myoclonus symptoms. Clonazepam may cause side effects such as loss of coordination and drowsiness.
- Anticonvulsants. Drugs used to control epileptic seizures have proved helpful in reducing myoclonus symptoms.
