Post-Anoxic Action Myoclonus: Improvement with Valproic Acid

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Abstract
To the Editor: Since it was described in 1963 by Lance and Adams,1 the syndrome of action myoclonus after recovery from coma secondary to cerebral hypoxia has become widely recognized. These lightning-like involuntary movements incapacitate the patient in walking, feeding and using the upper limbs for carrying out other activities of daily living. Cerebrospinal-fluid levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid are usually reduced in this syndrome.2 3 4 A lessening of the involuntary movements has been reported with 5hydroxytryptophan3 4 5 6 and with clonazepam.4 , 7 I have been treating two patients suffering from this syndrome with valproic acid, a recently approved anticonvulsant, in combination with clonazepam and . . .