Myoclonus Explained: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

3. Myoclonus Causes: Essential

Essential myoclonus happens on its own without an underlying illness and generally does not worsen over time or impair cognitive function. The cause is typically idiopathic (unknown). In some cases, this type of myoclonus is hereditary. In 30 to 50% of hereditary cases, a mutation in the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene is responsible. The mutation is much more likely to lead to essential myoclonus if the person inherited the gene from their father than from their mother.