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A Family with Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis and Epilepsy
Author(s) -
Webb Stewart,
Flanagan Niamh,
Callaghan Noel,
Hutchinson Michael
Publication year - 1997
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.1528-1157.1997.tb01741.x
Subject(s) - epilepsy , electroencephalography , anticipation (artificial intelligence) , generalized epilepsy , medicine , psychology , spastic , pediatrics , partial seizures , psychiatry , cerebral palsy , artificial intelligence , computer science
Summary: Purpose: We describe a family with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) in which 4 of 6 affected members also have epilepsy. Methods: All family members were examined by 2 neurologists. Four affected and 3 unaffected family members had EEG recordings. Four affected members were investigated for other causes of spastic paraparesis and epilepsy. Results: Epileptic symptoms varied among family members: 1 had complex partial seizures, another had focal myoclonic epilepsy, and 2 had simple partial seizures secondarily generalized. All 4 had clinical or EEG evidence to support a focal origin for the epilepsy, and 2 had photoparoxysal responses on EEG. Symptoms were more severe and occurred earlier in the younger generation, suggesting genetic anticipation in this family. The onset of epilepsy developed simultaneously with, or ≤18 years before, onset of gait disturbance. Three unaffected family members had normal EEGs. Conclusions: The association of HSP and epilepsy should no longer be assumed to be fortuitous.