Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What describes the sudden loss of muscle control after strong emotion?

1. Cataplexy

2. Atonic seizures

3. Myoclonic jerks

4. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizure

The correct answer is: Cataplexy

The correct answer is cataplexy. This condition is characterized by a sudden and temporary loss of muscle control, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, excitement, or surprise. During an episode of cataplexy, individuals may experience weakness or even collapse without losing consciousness. This phenomenon is particularly associated with narcolepsy, a sleep disorder where episodes can occur frequently and unpredictably. Understanding cataplexy is important because it highlights the link between emotional states and physical responses in the nervous system. Other conditions mentioned, while related to muscle control or seizure-like activities, do not specifically present an abrupt loss of muscle control triggered by emotions in the same manner. Atonic seizures involve sudden loss of muscle tone, but they are not typically associated with emotional triggers the way cataplexy is. Myoclonic jerks refer to brief muscle twitches and are not linked to emotional states or loss of consciousness. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are psychological in origin and generally occur without the muscle tone loss characteristic of cataplexy, making they not aligned with the specifics of this question.