Overview
Hereditary geniospasm, also known as hereditary chin trembling or geniospasm hereditaria, is a rare inherited movement disorder that causes episodes of involuntary trembling or quivering of the chin and lower lip. The trembling happens because the muscles in the chin area (called the mentalis muscle) contract and relax rapidly without the person choosing to do so. These episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes and may happen many times a day or only occasionally. The condition is present from birth or early childhood and tends to run strongly in families. Episodes are often triggered by emotional stress, excitement, or anxiety, though they can also happen without any obvious cause. The trembling is not painful and does not affect a person's ability to eat, speak, or breathe normally. Many people find the episodes embarrassing or socially uncomfortable, especially during childhood and teenage years. The good news is that hereditary geniospasm is a benign condition, meaning it does not shorten life expectancy or cause serious health problems. In many people, the episodes become less frequent or less noticeable as they get older. Treatment is available for those who find the trembling bothersome, with botulinum toxin (Botox) injections being the most effective option currently used.
Key symptoms:
Involuntary trembling or quivering of the chinShaking of the lower lipEpisodes that come and go (not constant)Trembling triggered by stress, excitement, or strong emotionsEpisodes that can last from seconds to several minutesTrembling that may happen during sleep in some peopleNo pain associated with the chin shakingEpisodes that may increase in frequency during puberty or stressful life periodsSocial embarrassment or self-consciousness due to visible chin movement
Clinical phenotype terms (7)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Infantile
Begins in infancy, roughly 1 month to 2 years old
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Hereditary geniospasm.
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Specialists
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Hereditary geniospasm.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is genetic testing recommended for my family, and which gene should be tested?,How often are episodes likely to change as my child gets older?,Is botulinum toxin treatment appropriate for my child's age, and what are the risks?,Are there any lifestyle changes or stress management strategies that could help reduce episodes?,Should other family members be evaluated or tested for this condition?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments being studied for hereditary geniospasm?,What should I tell my child's school or other caregivers about this condition?
Common questions about Hereditary geniospasm
What is Hereditary geniospasm?
Hereditary geniospasm, also known as hereditary chin trembling or geniospasm hereditaria, is a rare inherited movement disorder that causes episodes of involuntary trembling or quivering of the chin and lower lip. The trembling happens because the muscles in the chin area (called the mentalis muscle) contract and relax rapidly without the person choosing to do so. These episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes and may happen many times a day or only occasionally. The condition is present from birth or early childhood and tends to run strongly in families. Episodes are
How is Hereditary geniospasm inherited?
Hereditary geniospasm follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Hereditary geniospasm typically begin?
Typical onset of Hereditary geniospasm is infantile. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.