Myoclonus

Myoclonus is characterized by sudden, involuntary muscle jerking or twitching independently or in a series or pattern. Episodes may be triggered by external factors or particular movements. 

Our specialized myoclonus team will conduct a thorough analysis of your medical history, and we will perform physical and neurological exams to help determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. We will recommend imaging exams such as:

• EEG to record electrical activity in your brain 
• EMG to measure the electrical activity in the muscles and determine the pattern of the movements 
• MRI to look for structural anomalies in your brain or spinal cord

Laboratory blood and urine tests can help us determine whether the cause of your symptoms might be a metabolic disorder, an autoimmune disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, or exposure to toxic chemicals. 

The results of your exams and tests will help us diagnose the type of myoclonus you have:

• Positive – movements occur when a muscle contracts 
• Negative – movements occur when a muscle relaxes