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Sleep abnormalities in four cases of dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica of Ramsay-Hunt

The Italian Journal of Neurological Sciences volume 2, pages 159–163 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

The nocturnal sleep of four patients with dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica (DCM) of Ramsay-Hunt was recorded with a polygraph. The following features were observed: a reduction of spindles, K complexes and vertex spikes; frequent arousals; rare rapid eye movements with a modification of their morphology and pattern; change in sleep stage percentages. In addition, myoclonus and polyspike-and-wave complexes appeared less frequently during sleep than during wake fulness. Three generalized convulsive and sixteen clonic seizures were recorded during stage 3/4 or on arousal. The clinical and physiopathological implications of these data are discussed.

Sommario

Il sonno notturno di quattro pazienti affetti da Dissinergia cerebellare mioclonica di Ramsay-Hunt è stato registrato tramite poligrafo. Sono state osservate le seguenti caratteristiche: riduzione dei fusi del sonno, dei complessi K e delle punte al vertice; frequenti risvegli; riduzione notevole dei movimenti oculari rapidi con modificazioni della loro morfologia; modificazioni della percentuale dei vari stadi del sonno. Inoltre le mioclonie e le corrispondenti polipunte-onda comparivano meno frequentemente durante il sonno rispetto ai periodi di veglia. Sono state registrate tre crisi convulsive generalizzate e sedici crisi cloniche durante lo stadio 3–4 del sonno o al risveglio. Vengono discusse le implicazioni cliniche e fisiopatologiche di questi dati.

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  1. Clinica Neurologica e Centro per l'Epilessia, Università di Genova, Via F. De Toni, 5-16132, Genova, (Italia)

    Benassi E., Abbruzzese M., Ottonello G. A. & Tanganelli P.

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  1. Benassi E.
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  2. Abbruzzese M.
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  3. Ottonello G. A.
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  4. Tanganelli P.
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Benassi, E., Abbruzzese, M., Ottonello, G.A. et al. Sleep abnormalities in four cases of dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica of Ramsay-Hunt. Ital J Neuro Sci 2, 159–163 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02335438

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02335438

Key-Words

  • Dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica
  • sleep
  • rapid eye movements
  • clonic seizures