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Propriospinal myoclonus at sleep onset.
P Montagna1, F Provini, R Vetrugno
1Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna Medical School, Via Ugo Foscolo 7, 40123 Bologna, Italy. pasquale.montagna@unibo.it
Neurophysiologie Clinique = Clinical Neurophysiology
|March 6, 2007
Summary
Propriospinal myoclonus (PSM) involves spinal jerks during sleep onset. These jerks originate in axial muscles and propagate through spinal pathways, often seen with restless legs syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Propriospinal myoclonus (PSM) is characterized by jerks preceding sleep onset.
- First described in 1997, PSM involves muscle activity originating in spinal pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the clinical and polygraphic characteristics of PSM during sleep onset.
- To investigate the neurophysiological underpinnings of PSM.
Main Methods:
- Electromyography (EMG) to record muscle activity and propagation patterns.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain activity during sleep onset.
- Clinical and neurological examinations, including MRI.
Main Results:
- PSM occurs during the transition from wakefulness to sleep, associated with EEG alpha activity.
- Jerks originate in spinal muscles and propagate rostrally and caudally.
- PSM can coexist with restless legs syndrome and disappears with typical sleep phenomena like spindles and K-complexes.
Conclusions:
- PSM likely originates from a spinal generator activated during the wake-sleep transition.
- It involves multimeric propriospinal propagation.
- PSM is classified as an isolated symptom or variant in sleep disorder classifications.
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