Home > Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders > Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome Type II

Definition

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome type II is a very rare, progressive neurological disorder that causes epilepsy, tremor, mental impairment, and eventually death.

Description

Ramsay-Hunt syndrome type II begins in adulthood. It is a relentlessly progressive degenerative disease that culminates in death, characterized by Parkinson-like tremors, and muscle jerks (myoclonus).

Demographics

The average age of onset is about 30 years of age.

Causes and symptoms

Some cases seem to be caused by abnormalities of the mitochondria within the cell. Mitochondria are the cells' power stations. They are organelles within each cell that are responsible for...