Identifying whether or not abnormalities in these pathways cause myoclonus may help in efforts to develop drug treatments and diagnostic tests. Determining the extent that genetics play in these abnormalities may lead to potential treatments for their reversal, potentially correcting the loss of inhibition while enhancing mechanisms in the body that would compensate for their effects. Etymology
The word myoclonus uses combining forms of myo- and clonus, indicating muscle contraction dysfunction. It is pronounced  or . The prevalence of the variants shows division between American English and British English. The variant stressing the -oc- syllable is the only pronunciation given in a half dozen major American dictionaries (medical and general). The variant stressing the -clo- syllable is given in the British English module of Oxford Dictionaries online but not in the American English module. See also
Periodic limb movement disorder
Benign fasciculation syndrome
Restless legs syndrome
Fasciculation
Brain Zaps (SSRI withdrawal)
Clonus
Fahrs syndrome

References
External links

The first version of this article was adapted from the public domain NINDS Myoclonus Information Page. "Why do we twitch while falling asleep?" (The Straight Dope)
Myoclonus Fact Sheet,  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (viewed 5 Apr 2005)
Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Clinics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Emergency Medicine Magazine : https://web.archive.org/web/20110527190715/http://www.emedmag.com/html/pre/tri/1005.asp