Living with Hereditary geniospasm
A movement condition that causes episodes of trembling in the chin and lower lip.
Understanding Hereditary geniospasm
Episodes can last from a few seconds to hours. They may happen on their own or be set off by stress. They usually start in infancy or childhood and tend to happen less often with age.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Shaking of the chin (chin myoclonus)
- Trembling of the lower lip
- Episodes lasting seconds to hours
- Episodes set off by stress
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it is believed to be autosomal dominant, so one changed copy of the gene is enough to cause it. It doesn't name a gene.
Also known as: chin myoclonus; chin spasms; familial trembling of the chin; geniospasm; geniospasm 1; hereditary chin myoclonus
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Hereditary geniospasm.
Explore research for Hereditary geniospasm
Explore actively recruiting Hereditary geniospasm studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Hereditary geniospasm with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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