Abstract
Background: Brief involuntary sleep-related twitches occurring asymmetrically throughout the body define physiologic hypnic fragmentary myoclonus. An abnormal intensification of this entity identifies excessive fragmentary hypnic myoclonus (EFHM), a 'proposed sleep disorder' in the International Sleep Disorders Classification. Methods: We describe two patients with EFHM, one associated with a REM behaviour disorder. Results: EFHM activity was restricted to sleep prevailing during NREM sleep stages and the second part of the night. EMG was normal and EEG-EMG back-averaging did not show any cortical potentials related to the twitches. Conclusions: EFHM represents a pathological phenomenon which may or may not be associated with other sleep disorders. A brainstem generator explains its distribution throughout the body and the sleep stages.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 73-76 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Sleep Medicine |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Keywords
- Hypnic
- Myoclonus
- Neurophysiology
- Polysomnography
- Sleep
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dentistry(all)
- Ophthalmology
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Neurology