title: The diagnosis and treatment of myotonic disorders.
abstract: Myotonia is a defining clinical symptom and sign common to a relatively small group of muscle diseases, including the myotonic dystrophies and the nondystrophic myotonic disorders. Myotonia can be observed on clinical examination, as can its electrical correlate, myotonic discharges, on electrodiagnostic testing. Research interest in the myotonic disorders continues to expand rapidly, which justifies a review of the scientific bases, clinical manifestations, and numerous therapeutic approaches associated with these disorders. We review the pathomechanisms of myotonia, the clinical features of the dystrophic and nondystrophic myotonic disorders, and the diagnostic approach and treatment options for patients with symptomatic myotonia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Box 673, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, New York, New York 14642, USA. chad_heatwole@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Chad R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Heatwole
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Statland
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Logigian
mesh_terms: D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D009222:Myotonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D020967:Myotonic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018118:Chloride Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels