General Information About Meige Syndrome
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a rare disease of the nervous system (dystonia) where the muscles around the eyes and the lower face (jaw, lips, and tongue) undergo spasms and contract simultaneously and involuntarily.
The exact cause is not fully known. It is thought to stem from neurochemical imbalances (especially dopamine) in the basal ganglia region that controls brain movement, or from the side effects of certain long-term psychiatric medications.
It begins with the need for frequent blinking; over time, the eyes close tightly, causing the person to feel blind. Simultaneously, teeth grinding, lip puckering, jaw deviation to the right-left, or jaw opening and closing are observed.
Yes. Intense contractions in the jaw and tongue muscles make swallowing difficult and cause speech to become unintelligible/muffled (dysarthria).
There is no specific blood test. It is diagnosed by a neurologist clinically observing the involuntary contractions on the patient's face and identifying the coexistence of eye/jaw spasms.
There is no cure that heals it completely, but symptoms are stopped with treatment. The most effective method is Botulinum Toxin (Botox) injections administered into the affected muscles every 3-4 months. In advanced and resistant cases, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery may be applied.
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