Hereditary mirror movements.

Abstract

Mirror LlRROR movements predominantly of the hand which are not associated with other neurological abnormalities are rare. Several reports, listed in Table 1, deal with familial cases. 1-13 In contrast to the transient mirror movements normally seen in young children, the familial mirror movements persist in adult life. As a consequence, the affected patients are handicapped in carrying out fine, skilled acts as well as forceful manual movements. A remarkable case has recently been described by Haerer and Currier. 13 Their patient had life-long mirror movements which persisted even after the occurrence of a severe flaccid hemiplegia due to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Though no voluntary digital movements were possible on the hemiplegic side, mirror movements were elicited in the paralyzed hand by volitional movements of the hand and fingers on the contralateral side. Mirror movements, often of a somewhat different character, have also been observed in patients