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Postanoxic myoclonus

Treatment of a case with 5-Hydroxytryptophane and a decarboxylase inhibitor

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Summary

Postanoxic myoclonus was first accepted as being related to a dysfunction of the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus. Several stereotaxic studies have invalidated this hypothesis. The neurochemical approach, in particular the measure of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid, has opened new theoretical and therapeutic possibilities involving serotoninergic pathways.

A typical case is presented who improved markedly under a combined therapy with 5-hydroxytryptophan and a decarboxylase inhibitor. A review of the pathogenesis and therapeutic approach to postanoxic myoclonus is presented.

Zusammenfassung

Es wurde früher angenommen, daß der postanoxische Myoklonus durch eine Dysfunktion des ventro-lateralen thalamischen Nucleus bedingt ist. Diese Hypothese wurde durch verschiedene stereotaktische Studien in Frage gestellt. Neurochemische Untersuchungen, insbesondere die Messung von 5-Hydroxyindol-Essigsäure im Liquor öffnete den Weg zu neuen theoretischen und therapeutischen Möglichkeiten, Bahnen des serotoninergischen Systems zu beeinflussen.

Ein typischer Fall wird vorgestellt, der unter einer Kombinationstherapie von 5-Hydroxytryptophan und einem Decarboxylase-Hemmer eine wesentliche Besserung zeigte. Die Pathogenese und therapeutische Möglichkeiten des postanoxischen Myoklonus werden diskutiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Service de Neurologie du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland

    E. Beretta, F. Regli, G. de Crousaz & A. J. Steck

Authors
  1. E. Beretta
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  2. F. Regli
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  3. G. de Crousaz
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  4. A. J. Steck
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Beretta, E., Regli, F., de Crousaz, G. et al. Postanoxic myoclonus. J Neurol 225, 57–62 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00313462

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00313462

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