Myoklonusz

Myoklonusz is a neurological symptom characterized by sudden, brief, involuntary muscle jerks or twitches. These contractions can affect a single muscle or a group of muscles. Myoklonus is not a disease itself but rather a sign of an underlying condition. The frequency and intensity of the jerks can vary widely, from occasional, mild twitches to frequent, severe spasms.

The causes of myoklonus are diverse. It can be a normal physiological response, such as when someone experiences a hypnic jerk while falling asleep. However, it can also be pathological, stemming from a variety of neurological disorders. These include epilepsy, where myoklonus can be a type of seizure, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, as well as metabolic disorders, brain injury, stroke, and certain infections. Some medications and toxins can also induce myoklonus.

Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical history, neurological examination, and sometimes further investigations such as electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain activity, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize brain structures, and blood tests to rule out metabolic causes.

Treatment for myoklonus focuses on addressing the underlying cause. If it is a side effect of medication, adjusting the dosage or switching to an alternative may be effective. For conditions like epilepsy, anti-epileptic drugs are often prescribed. In cases where a specific underlying disease is identified and treatable, managing that condition can alleviate the myoklonus. For other causes, therapies may aim to reduce the frequency and severity of the jerks.