Logan Steele
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures. These seizures are the result of unusual electrical activity in the brain. While epilepsy is most common in young children and older adults, it can occur at any age. Seizures can cause a variety of symptoms, including muscle spasms and uncontrollable muscle twitches. Myoclonic seizures, in particular, are characterized by brief, sudden jerking or twitching of a muscle or group of muscles. They can occur as a standalone event or in clusters and are often treated with medication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is epilepsy? | A neurological disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. |
| Types of seizures | Focal aware seizures, focal unaware seizures, secondary generalized seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, atonic seizures, clonic seizures, infantile spasms, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. |
| Myoclonic seizures | Brief, sudden jerking of muscles, which may result in someone dropping an object or falling. |
| Myoclonic epilepsy | A type of epilepsy that causes the muscles in the body to contract, resulting in quick jerking movements. |
| Epileptic myoclonus | Myoclonus that occurs within an epilepsy syndrome, such as Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. |
| Causes of epilepsy | Genetic factors, environmental triggers, and underlying health conditions such as hypoglycemia, stroke, or brain injury. |
| Treatment | Medications, EEG tests, MRI scans, CT scans, and genetic counselling. |
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What You'll Learn
Myoclonic seizures
If you think that you or someone you know is experiencing myoclonic seizures, it is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible. While myoclonic seizures are not considered a medical emergency, they can significantly impact a person's quality of life and may indicate an underlying condition.
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Focal aware seizures
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. Seizures can happen in one or both sides of the brain. Focal seizures, previously called partial seizures, affect only one side of the brain and are the most common type of seizures experienced by people with epilepsy. When the seizure begins in one side of the brain and the person has no confusion or loss of awareness of their surroundings during it, it is called a focal aware seizure.
The cause of focal aware seizures is often unknown, but they may be more likely in people who have had a head injury, brain infection, stroke, or brain tumor. They may also run in families.
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Tonic-clonic seizures
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. The chances of developing epilepsy are higher if a close relative has a generalized form of the condition. Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy, and symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure.
During a tonic-clonic seizure, a person loses consciousness and may fall to the floor. All their muscles stiffen, and air is forced past the vocal cords, causing a cry or groan. The arms and legs then begin to jerk rapidly and rhythmically, bending and relaxing at the elbows, hips, and knees. After a few minutes, the jerking slows and stops. The person may lose control of their bladder or bowel as the body relaxes. Tonic-clonic seizures can start in one or both sides of the brain.
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Epileptic myoclonus
Myoclonus is a sudden increase in muscle tone, like a jolt of electricity, that can cause jerking movements on both sides of the body. Myoclonic seizures are a type of seizure that occurs in people with epilepsy and are characterised by brief, sudden jerking spasms of a muscle or muscle group. These seizures can occur as single events or in clusters and are usually brief, lasting only a few seconds. They can be easily mistaken for tics, tremors, or clumsiness. However, they are easy to identify and do not require first aid. People usually continue doing whatever they were doing before and during the seizure, remaining awake and conscious.
Myoclonic seizures are often associated with certain epileptic syndromes, such as Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME), which typically involves the neck, shoulders, and upper arms. These seizures usually occur soon after waking up and can be triggered by factors like overtiredness or flashing lights. They can also be a feature of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and progressive myoclonic epilepsy, a rare disorder characterised by a combination of myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures.
While there is no cure for epilepsy, myoclonic seizures often respond well to medication. Anti-seizure or anti-epileptic medications can help control the seizures, although it may take a few tries to find the right drug and dosage. In cases where medication is ineffective, surgery may be considered as an alternative treatment option. Additionally, a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) can be implanted and used in conjunction with anti-epileptic medication to reduce seizure frequency.
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Infantile spasms
The specific movements associated with infantile spasms can vary, but they often include a quick wide-eyed stare, dropping of the head, and raising of the shoulders and arms. Some children may cry momentarily after each spasm, while others may seem distressed throughout a cluster. In some cases, the symptoms can be subtle, such as a mild head nod or quick eye movements. It is important to note that infantile spasms can occur in children without prior medical problems, but most children get infantile spasms after the diagnosis of another brain disorder, such as a stroke, brain injury, or infection.
The long-term outcome for children with infantile spasms varies and depends on the cause of the disorder. Children with infantile spasms are at risk for developing other types of seizures, epilepsy that is difficult to control, intellectual disability, autism, and cognitive delays. Certain chromosomal abnormalities have also been associated with infantile spasms, with Down syndrome being the most common. Additionally, prenatal factors, perinatal causes, and postnatal insults, such as traumatic injury, near drowning, and tumours, have all been linked to infantile spasms.
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Frequently asked questions
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures.
Seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Symptoms differ from person to person and according to the type of seizure. Stronger seizures can cause spasms and uncontrollable muscle twitches. Other symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, and a sudden loss of muscle strength.
Myoclonic seizures are characterized by brief, sudden jerking spasms of a muscle or muscle group. They cause quick twitching of the arms and legs and can sometimes cluster together. Myoclonic seizures do not cause any loss of awareness — the person is awake and conscious during the seizure.
Myoclonic seizures are often associated with epilepsy. They are caused by unusual electrical activity in the brain.
