Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

266 The Nervous System
• Palatal myoclonus occurs when the muscles of
the soft palate at the back of the MOUTH contract
rapidly and rhythmically though usually without
disrupting the ability to swallow or speak.
The pattern and consistency of the myoclonic
episodes help the neurologist determine the
underlying cause or location of the neurologic
injury (sometimes called a LESION). The diagnostic
path typically includes a comprehensive NEURO-
LOGIC EXAMINATION and imaging procedures such as
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) or COMPUTED
TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN to locate or rule out neurologic
damage. The neurologist may also conduct
an electromyogram (EMG) to assess the activity of
the affected muscle groups. Treatment aims to
reduce the symptoms and typically includes combinations
of muscle relaxants and antiseizure
medications. Finding a therapeutically effective
balance of medications is often a trial-and-error
process. Most people who have myoclonus require
lifelong treatment.
CONDITIONS IN WHICH MYOCLONUS MAY OCCUR
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
BRAIN TUMOR
ENCEPHALITIS
PARKINSON’S DISEASE
SEIZURE DISORDERS
STROKE
BRAIN HEMORRHAGE
CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (CJD)
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
prolonged HYPOXIA
SPINAL CORD INJURY
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)
See also ATHETOSIS; CHOREA; NEURON; RESTLESS
LEGS SYNDROME; SPASM; TIC; TOURETTE’S SYNDROME;
TREMOR DISORDERS.