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ROY R. GRINKER, M.D.; HERMAN SEROTA, M.D.; SAM I. STEIN, M.D., Ph.D.

Arch Neurol Psychiatry. 1938;40(5):968-980.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

From a chaotic group of hyperkinetic manifestations Friedreich separated an entity which was characterized by rapid, lightning-like twitchings of the muscles, or myoclonia. This syndrome, now known as Friedreich's paramyoclonus multiplex, he ascribed to abnormal irritability of the cells of the anterior horn. In 1891 Unverricht¹ demarcated still another nosologic entity of myoclonic phenomena associated with epilepsy. He described several cases from the previous literature and added observations on a family composed of 5 sisters. These patients were afflicted between the ages of 6 and 13 years, first with generalized convulsions, followed in a few years by the onset of myoclonia consisting of irregular, arrhythmic lightning-like jerks of muscle groups without movements of the extremities. These affected both upper extremities first and involved the face last. Sleep abolished the movements; external disturbances, psychic upsets and volitional muscular effort increased them. Unverricht, too, expressed the belief that the myoclonia is . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
CHICAGO

From the Department of Neuropsychiatry of the Michael Reese Hospital.

Footnotes
Read before the Central Neuropsychiatric Society, Oct. 8, 1937.