Hereditary essential myoclonus

Abstract

MYOCLONUS has been a subject of much thought, confusion and controversy in the past hundred years. Reading the literature shows that a major source of the confusion has been in overlooking the fact that myoclonus is not a disease but a symptom in a large and heterogeneous group of disorders. Aigner and Mulder (1960), giving an excellent account of its historical background, cite no fewer than 30 distinct clinical entities that may show generalized myoclonus. There is also ample evidence that more than one site in the central nervous system may be involved in it