Neurológia pre prax 4/2026

Myoclonus – basic orientation for clinical practice

Myoclonus, belonging to the group of hyperkinetic movement disorders, is manifested by short and rapid muscle jerks, caused by their active contraction, or by a sudden loss of muscle activity. Myoclonus is caused by a number of different causes, which may have different anatomical correlates. However, a detailed history, clinical examination, neuroimaging methods and knowledge of neurophysiological testing can often narrow the diagnostic perimeter to a specific disease and thus significantly accelerate the diagnostic process. Within this framework, it is always necessary to first think about the exclusion of potentially reversible causes.

Keywords: myoclonus, classification of myoclonus, clinical examination, diagnostic approach