Speech-activated Myoclonus Mimicking Stuttering in a Patient with Myoclonus–Dystonia Syndrome. (1st July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Isaacs, David A.; Hedera, Peter
• Editors: Louis, Elan D.
• Is Part Of: Tremor and other hyperkinetic movements. Volume 6(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-07-01
• Subjects: Stuttering -- action myoclonus -- autosomal dominant familial dystonia -- epsilon-sarcoglycan; Tremor -- Periodicals; Hyperkinesia -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.7916/D8J966FP
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-8288

Abstract

Background: Acquired neurogenic stuttering has been considered a fairly uncommon clinical occurrence; speech-activated myoclonus is a rare entity that can mimic stuttering and is caused by a wide array of etiologies. Case Report: Here we report a patient with myoclonus–dystonia syndrome (MDS), due to an identified disease-causing mutation, who displayed speech-activated myoclonus mimicking stuttering. Discussion: In MDS, myoclonus has only infrequently been reported to affect speech. This case further expands the spectrum of conditions causing the rare clinical phenomenon of speech-activated myoclonus.