Myoclonic episodes can be triggered by an external event, such as a specific movement or sensory stimulus. In fact, however, myoclonias remain spontaneous and uncontrollable (involuntary) reactions.
Massive (or generalized) myoclonias involve the whole body and are more frequently observed in the context of diseases of the central nervous system of degenerative origin and in some forms of epilepsy. Myoclonic tremors can also be found in cases of brain damage of traumatic origin , ischemic stroke, viral infections of the brain, tumors, Alzheimer's, toxic-metabolic disorders and unwanted drug reactions.
Examples of physiological myoclonia are, on the other hand, hiccups, eyelid flickering and jerking of the legs that can occur before falling asleep.
As for treatment, medical intervention is not always necessary. If the diagnostic process ascertains the presence of an underlying disease, the therapeutic management of the latter can be useful to control the symptoms, including myoclonus. When the cause is unknown or the disorder cannot benefit from specific treatment, treatment is symptomatic and aims solely to alleviate the consequences on the patient's quality of life.
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Myoclonia can manifest itself in both positive and negative forms:
- POSITIVE MYOCLONIA: in most cases, myoclonia occur in a positive form, that is, as active muscle contractions;
- NEGATIVE MYCLONIA: Less often, myoclonia manifests itself as an "interruption or" inhibition of the muscle activity in progress, perceived as a sudden relaxation or a drop in postural tone.
