cataplexy
Emotion-triggered muscle failure
Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotion—laughter, surprise, anger.
The person remains conscious but may collapse, slur speech, or go limp.
It's closely associated with narcolepsy, occurring as a symptom in many who have that sleep disorder.
Episodes typically last seconds to minutes.
Deficiency in force
- atoniaLack of muscle tone
- flaccidityLack of firmness
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
- saggingBending downward weakly
hypotonia · jaw · neck · knees · facial · bilateral · partial · complete
Vocal expression of amusement
- emotionComplex psychological state
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- startleFrighten suddenly
- angerIntense hostile emotion
excitement · stress · amusement · joking · orgasm · elation · fear · anticipation
Sudden structural failure
- fallDescend under gravity
- dropFall or release
- attackAggressive act against another
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
onset · abrupt · transient · momentary · episode · buckling · slumping · slurred speech
Seat of cognition
- brainstemLower neural trunk
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
autoimmune · H1N1 · amygdala · limbic · medulla · neural pathway
Temporary waking immobility
- REM sleepDreaming stage with eye movement
- sleep regulationControl of dormancy patterns
- microsleepsFleeting involuntary unconsciousness
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
sleepiness · hallucinations · tetrad · narcoleptic · sleep study
weakness
Deficiency in force
- atoniaLack of muscle tone
- flaccidityLack of firmness
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
sagging · hypotonia · jaw · neck · knees · facial · bilateral · partial · complete · voluntary muscles
laughter
Vocal expression of amusement
- emotionComplex psychological state
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- startleFrighten suddenly
anger · excitement · stress · amusement · joking · orgasm · elation · fear · anticipation
collapse
Sudden structural failure
sudden · onset · abrupt · transient · momentary · episode · buckling · slumping · slurred speech
brain
Seat of cognition
- brainstemLower neural trunk
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
receptor · autoimmune · H1N1 · amygdala · limbic · medulla · neural pathway
sleep paralysis
Temporary waking immobility
- REM sleepDreaming stage with eye movement
- sleep regulationControl of dormancy patterns
- microsleepsFleeting involuntary unconsciousness
drowsiness · sleepiness · hallucinations · tetrad · narcoleptic · sleep study
immobility
Lack of motion
cataplexyhypertonia
Pathological muscle tightness
tetany · dystonia · muscle tension · myotonia · rigidity