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Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: Characteristics of a Primary Generalized Epilepsy
Author(s) -
Dreifuss Fritz E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1989.tb05832.x
Subject(s) - juvenile myoclonic epilepsy , epilepsy , ictal , electroencephalography , myoclonic epilepsy , idiopathic generalized epilepsy , psychology , medicine , sleep deprivation , generalized epilepsy , anesthesia , neuroscience , cognition
Summary: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a primary generalized epilepsy that affects approximately 7% of adolescent and adult epilepsy patients. JME is characterized by myoclonic seizures alone or combined with generalized tonic‐clonic seizures or absence seizures. Seizures are precipitated by sudden awakening, sleep deprivation, photic stimulation, and alcohol consumption. The ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) shows a typical 4‐ to 6‐Hz polyspike and wave pattern; the interictal EEG may be normal. Valproate controls seizures in approximately 80% of JME patients and is recommended for successful management of this disorder.