What are Myoclonic Seizures?
The name myoclonic comes from a combination of two terms: myo meaning muscle and clonic meaning jerk. An abnormal discharge of electrical activity in the muscle control area of the brain causes these seizures, which consist of a sudden, shocking jerk of the muscles in the arms, legs, neck and/ or trunk. Myoclonic seizures usually involve both sides of the body at the same time, and the person may fall over. Myoclonic seizures occur in a variety of epileptic syndromes, such as juvenile myoclonic epilepsy syndrome. All myoclonic jerks are not seizures-they can come from the spinal cord, not just from the brain. In fact, it is normal for people without epilepsy to experience a jerk of the body while falling asleep and be startled awake. This is called sleep myoclonus and is not a seizure.
