Classification of Myoclonus

Several methods have been developed to help classify or categorize myoclonus. Appropriately identifying the features of myoclonus and classifying the movements are important because treatment and outcome vary, depending upon the particular patient and the underlying cause of myoclonus. Movements may be categorized based upon their

• Cause
• Appearance
• Clinical features (how the movements "look" during a physician's evaluation)
• Where the movements occur in the body (anatomic distribution)
• How movements respond to stimulus

The most common way of classifying myoclonic movements is by the presumed cause (etiology) of the movement.

The most important reasons for classifying myoclonus are

By attempting to understand what is going on in the body (physiologic properties), the doctor may be able to more readily identify the underlying disease process causing the movements Because certain types of myoclonus may suggest specific, underlying disorders, identification of the basis of the movements may yield more information that helps with making the diagnosis Effective treatment is specific to the cause of the myoclonus, so characterizing the movements often results in a better outcome through more appropriate treatment The diagnosing physician gains a greater understanding of the process that yields the movements

	Physiologic Classification