Physiologic analysis of the myoclonus of Alzheimer's disease.
Ten patients with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease, including three cases of trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome), developed a chronic myoclonic disorder. The technique of jerk-locked averaging of EEG activity was used to analyze the myoclonus. Seven subjects demonstrated a focal, contralateral central, negative cerebral potential antecedent to the myoclonic jerks. This EEG event differs from that previously reported to be associated with the myoclonus of subacute spongiform encephalopathy (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease).
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*