title: Orofacial reflex myocloni. Definition, relation to epilepsy syndromes, nosological and prognosis significance. A focused review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is increasing awareness that reflex epileptic mechanisms provide unique insight into ictogenesis in human epilepsies. Among the complex triggers of seizures, this review considers orofacial reflex myocloni (ORM) from the aspects of history and delineation, clinical and electroencephalographic presentation, syndromatic relations, prevalence, mechanisms of ictogenesis and nosological implications, treatment and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed all published articles and case reports on ORM in order to clarify clinical and electroencephalographic findings, treatment and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ORM, besides Reading Epilepsy (RE), is closely related to idiopathic generalized epilepsies especially Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) where hyperexcitability of the network supporting linguistic communication seems to provide the precondition for eliciting reflex myocloni in the perioral muscles active in the precipitating task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conclusions on ictogenesis derived from ORM support the concept of both, RE and JME, as system disorders of the brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: yacubian@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Elza Márcia
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yacubian
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Neurological Service, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D020195:Epilepsy, Reflex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D011932:Reading; D012018:Reflex; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Idiopathic generalized epilepsies; Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; Orofacial reflex myocloni; Reflextraits; System epilepsies