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Published on: December 22, 2016
[Response to perampanel in a patient with chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus]
I Muro-García1, A Vieira1, L Vega1
1Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, España.
Introduction:
Chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus is a condition in which the predominant clinical picture is myoclonus following hypoxic brain damage, usually due to cardiorespiratory arrest. It is a condition that is usually treated with antiepileptic drugs, in most cases with a modest clinical response.
Case Report:
We report the case of a patient who started with jerking movements, compatible with myoclonus in the four limbs and the face the day after recovering from a cardiorespiratory arrest. An electroencephalogram was performed during which the myoclonias were recorded with no electrical correlates. During admission, and in successive visits after discharge, different antiepileptic treatments were tried for the myoclonias, which were refractory and affected the patient's quality of life. Two years after onset, treatment with perampanel up to a dose of 4 mg was initiated and the patient reported a significant clinical improvement, as evidenced in the visits.
Conclusions:
Perampanel may be an effective alternative for the treatment of myoclonias in patients with chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus.
Insights
This study explores chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus, a condition following brain damage. Perampanel showed significant improvement in a refractory case, suggesting it as a potential treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Chronic post-hypoxic myoclonus (CHM) is characterized by involuntary jerking movements after hypoxic brain injury, often from cardiorespiratory arrest.
- Current treatments, primarily antiepileptic drugs, typically yield modest clinical responses in CHM patients.
Observation:
- A case report details a patient experiencing severe, refractory myoclonus affecting limbs and face post-cardiorespiratory arrest.
- Despite trials of various antiepileptic medications, the patient's condition persisted, significantly impacting quality of life.
Findings:
- Initiation of perampanel at 4 mg resulted in substantial clinical improvement of myoclonus.
- Electroencephalogram recordings during myoclonic episodes showed no electrical correlates, highlighting the complexity of CHM.
Implications:
- Perampanel emerges as a promising therapeutic option for managing refractory myoclonus in chronic post-hypoxic cases.
- This finding could guide future treatment strategies for patients with similar neurological conditions.
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