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Clinical analysis in familial cortical myoclonic tremor allows differential diagnosis with essential tremor
Author(s) -
Bourdain Frédéric,
Apartis Emmanuelle,
Trocello JeanMarc,
Vidal JeanSébastien,
Masnou Pascal,
Vercueil Laurent,
Vidailhet Marie
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.20725
Subject(s) - myoclonus , essential tremor , neuroscience , photic stimulation , electroencephalography , psychology , electrophysiology , differential diagnosis , medicine , neurological disorder , movement disorders , audiology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , central nervous system disease , visual perception , pathology , perception , disease
Familial cortical myoclonic tremor (FCMT) is a rare disorder often leading to a wrong clinical diagnosis of essential tremor. Electrophysiological data are usually considered to allow a correct diagnosis. We describe a FCMT French family with previously unreported clinical features such as sensitivity to glucose deprivation, vibration, repetitive visual patterns, and intense visual or auditory stimulation and contrasts. Electrophysiological studies of the propositus confirm the cortical reflex myoclonus elicited by photic stimulation and the absence of epileptic electroencephalographic discharges. We emphasize that a precise clinical analysis can lead to a correct diagnosis before electrophysiological confirmation. This is also the first‐ever report of efficacy of levetiracetam in FCMT. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society