Myoclonus

Myoclonus is sudden, brief muscle contractions or spasms. These are involuntary movements that can occur in various parts of the body, but most often occur when lifting and bending the arms. Myoclonus can be one-sided or affect both sides of the body at the same time.

Myoclonic jerks can occur in people for a variety of reasons. They can be a symptom of certain nervous and epileptic conditions, and also be a manifestation of progressive nervous diseases. For example, in patients with idiopathic epilepsy, myoclonus may occur between seizure episodes. In addition, myoclonus is a characteristic symptom of some diseases that are accompanied by degeneration of brain neurons, including spongiform encephalopathy.

Some people may also experience myoclonic jerks when falling asleep, called nocturnal myoclonus. These are random, brief muscle contractions that can occur during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. Nocturnal myoclonus is usually not a sign of a serious illness and can occur in completely healthy people.

Myoclonus should be diagnosed and treated by a qualified physician. The doctor will examine you and ask questions about the nature and frequency of myoclonic jerks, as well as other symptoms that may be associated with this condition. Additional tests, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG), can be used to detect epileptic activity in the brain.

Treatment for myoclonus depends on its cause and may involve different approaches. In some cases, medications are used, such as antiepileptic drugs or medications aimed at improving the functioning of the nervous system. Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises may also be helpful to improve muscle control and reduce the frequency of myoclonic jerks.

In general, myoclonus can be varied and have different causes. It is important to consult with your doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan that is best for each individual case of myoclonus.

Myoclonus is a spontaneous rhythmic contraction of muscles with a frequency of 3–8 Hz, resulting from a change in the membrane potential of the nerve or due to overexcitation of the neuromuscular synapse.

Myoclonus is also called the syndrome of the same name, which occurs during sleep (night movements) and is caused by an increase in the rate of transmission of excitation along the neurons of the spinal cord, as well as through the circuits of the reticular formation of the brain stem. The syndrome manifests itself as single convulsive short contractions of the calf muscles during sleep. It is believed that a person can see approaching convulsions, feel their onset in the form of a short-term slowdown in movements and subsequent twitching as a separate reaction of the cerebral cortex to false