What is the Difference Between Tonic Clonic and Myoclonic Seizures

Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain, which can lead to changes in behavior, movements, feelings, and levels of consciousness. If someone experiences two or more seizures at least 24 hours apart without a known cause, it is considered epilepsy. Seizures occur due to sudden and uncoordinated changes in the brain’s electrical signals, resulting in temporary alterations in behavior, feelings, movements, or awareness levels. Therefore, tonic clonic and myoclonic seizures are two distinct types of seizures.

The difference between tonic clonic and myoclonic seizures is their symptoms. Tonic clonic seizures consist of both stiffening and twitching or jerking phases of muscle activity while myoclonic seizures consist of sudden body or limb jerks.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Tonic Clonic Seizures
3. What are Myoclonic Seizures 
4. Similarities Between Tonic Clonic and Myoclonic Seizures
5. Tonic Clonic vs Myoclonic Seizures in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Tonic Clonic vs Myoclonic Seizures
7. FAQ – Tonic Clonic and Myoclonic Seizures

What are Tonic Clonic Seizures?

Tonic clonic seizures, also known as grand mal seizures, have two stages: a tonic phase and a clonic phase. In the tonic phase, the person may lose consciousness and may fall, cry, or moan due to forceful air expulsion from the lungs during strong spasms. Additionally, saliva or foam may come from the mouth, and the person may inadvertently bite their tongue or cheek, leading to blood in the saliva. The clonic phase consists of jerking movements that affect the face, arms, and legs, becoming intense and rapid.

Tonic clonic seizures can be diagnosed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other tests to look for scarred areas in the brain such as electroencephalography (EEG). Furthermore, treatment options for tonic clonic seizures may include anti-seizure medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, and surgical procedures.

What are Myoclonic Seizures?

Myoclonic seizures are characterized by brief, jerking spasms of a muscle or group of muscles. Myoclonic seizures may have symptoms such as experiencing a sudden increase in muscle tone as if they have been jolted with electricity (a myoclonic jerk), sudden spasms occasionally experienced by people as they are falling asleep, and myoclonic jerks occur in bouts.

Myoclonic seizures can be diagnosed through electroencephalogram (EEG), blood test, CT scan, MRI, and spinal tap (lumbar puncture). Furthermore, myoclonic seizures are treated through individualized approaches such as anti-seizure medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, or surgery.

Similarities Between Tonic Clonic and Myoclonic Seizures

1. Tonic clonic and myoclonic seizures are two different types of seizures.
2. Both can be generalized.
3. They are caused by abnormal electrical signals to the brain.
4. Both can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging testing.
5. They are treated through anti-seizure medication, nerve stimulation, and surgeries.

Difference Between Tonic Clonic and Myoclonic Seizures

Definition

a. Tonic-clonic seizures are seizures that consist of both a stiffening phase and a jerking phase.
b. Myoclonic seizures are seizures characterized by brief, jerking spasms of a muscle or group of muscles.

Generalized/Focal

a. Tonic-clonic seizures are typically generalized.
b. Myoclonic seizures can be generalized, focal, or multifocal.

Symptoms

a. Tonic-clonic seizures involve losing consciousness, falling, crying, or moaning due to forceful air expulsion, saliva or foam from the mouth, unintentional biting of the tongue or cheek, and intense, rapid jerking movements affecting the face, arms, and legs.
b. Myoclonic seizures manifest as sudden increases in muscle tone resembling electric jolts (myoclonic jerks), occasional spasms experienced while falling asleep, and bouts of myoclonic jerks.

Diagnosis

a. Tonic-clonic seizures are diagnosed using tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect scarred areas in the brain and electroencephalography (EEG).
b. Myoclonic seizures are diagnosed through an electroencephalogram (EEG), blood tests, CT scan, MRI, or spinal tap (lumbar puncture).

Treatment

a. Treatment for tonic-clonic seizures may involve anti-seizure medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, or surgical procedures.
b. Treatment for myoclonic seizures typically includes anti-seizure medication, nerve stimulation, dietary therapy, or surgery.

The infographic below presents the differences between tonic clonic and myoclonic seizures in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Tonic Clonic vs Myoclonic Seizures

Tonic clonic and myoclonic seizures are two different types of seizures. Tonic clonic seizure consists of both stiffening and twitching or jerking phases of muscle activity, while myoclonic seizures consist of sudden body or limb jerks. Thus, this is the key difference between tonic clonic and myoclonic seizures.

FAQ: Tonic Clonic and Myoclonic Seizures

1. What type of seizure is tonic clonic?

• Tonic clonic is also known as grand mal seizure. It usually comprises a tonic phase and a clonic phase. These seizures may involve extreme muscle spasms that temporarily arrest breathing.

2. What is an example of a myoclonic seizure?

• Myoclonic seizures normally cause quirk-jerking movements. Myoclonic seizures may include hiccups and a sudden jerk while asleep. These seizures often happen in everyday life.

3. Is myoclonic seizures epilepsy?

• A myoclonic seizure cannot be called epilepsy unless there are more than two myoclonic seizures happening repeatedly over time. Myoclonic seizures are muscle jerks. Moreover, myoclonic seizures are brief and often happen shortly after waking.

4. What is the difference between a seizure and a myoclonic seizure?

• The difference between a seizure and a myoclonic seizure is that a seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain affecting behavior and consciousness, while a myoclonic seizure involves brief, jerking spasms of muscles or groups of muscles.

5. What is the difference between tics and myoclonic seizures?

• Tics are repetitive, involuntary movements or vocalizations typically associated with Tourette syndrome or other tic disorders, whereas myoclonic seizures involve brief, shock-like muscle jerks or twitches caused by sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain.

Reference:

1. “Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) Seizure.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Myoclonic Seizure – An Overview.” ScienceDirect.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Spike-waves” (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Figure 4” By Libertas Academica (CC BY 2.0 DEED) via Flickr

Related posts:

Difference Between Dissociative Amnesia and Dissociative Fugue Difference Between Metaplasia and Dysplasia What is the Difference Between Runny Nose and CSF Leak What is the Difference Between Genetic and Congenital Disorders What is the Difference Between Arachnoiditis and Adhesive Arachnoiditis