Isaacs' syndrome: clinical and electrophysiological response to gabapentin.
A patient with Isaacs' syndrome had generalized muscle spasms, twitching, and progressive muscle stiffness for 21 years. Electrodiagnostic study showed continuous spontaneous motor-unit activity and the presence of M-wave afterdischarges. He responded dramatically to treatment with carbamazepine but developed a drug rash; his treatment was changed to gabapentin with continued improvement. Subsequent nerve conduction studies showed decreased amplitude and later an absence of M-wave afterdischarges. Gabapentin thus appears to be an effective treatment for Isaacs' syndrome.
Dhand
Upinder K
UK
Department of Neurology, University of Missouri, M178, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA. dhandu@health.missouri.edu
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000588:Amines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004576:Electromyography; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D020386:Isaacs Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D013035:Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D002220:Carbamazepine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin