Extreme startle and photomyoclonic response in severe hypocalcaemia
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Updated: May 1, 2026

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice
Published on: June 11, 2020
Marcello Moccia1, Roberto Erro2, Elvira Nicolella1
1Epilepsy Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
We report the case of 62-year-old woman referred to our department because of a clinical suspicion of tonic-clonic seizures. Clinical examination revealed an exaggerated startle reflex, EEG showed a photomyoclonic response, and blood tests indicated severe hypocalcaemia. Additional clinical data, treatment strategies, and long-term follow-up visits were reported. The present report discusses the difficulties in distinguishing between epileptic and non-epileptic startles, and shows, for the first time, exaggerated startle reflex and extreme photomyoclonic response due to severe hypocalcaemia.
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