Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), also known as Janz syndrome, is a common type of epilepsy that starts in adolescence or early adulthood, usually between ages 12 and 18, and is characterized by myoclonic jerks, often followed by generalized seizures.

Signs and Symptoms

The primary symptom of JME is brief, involuntary twitching of muscles, or myoclonus. These jerks primarily occur in the morning, shortly after waking. Other symptoms may include tonic-clonic seizures and, less commonly, absence seizures.

Causes

The exact cause of JME is unknown, but it is believed to be genetic in nature. Most individuals with JME have a family history of seizures.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of JME is typically based on the patient's clinical history, the age at onset, and the pattern of seizures. An electroencephalogram (EEG) may show a specific pattern of spikes and waves typically seen in JME.

Treatment

Treatment for JME typically involves the use of anti-epileptic drugs such as valproate, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for individuals with JME is generally good. However, lifelong treatment is usually required to control seizures.

See Also

• Epilepsy
• Myoclonus
• Tonic-clonic seizure
• Absence seizure

References

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy Resources
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