Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is characterized by frequent attacks of myoclonic jerking, which occur most commonly in the morning hours (mainly after a night of insufficient sleep). Ictally and interictally, the EEG shows bursts of generalized, synchronous spike-waves (3-4/sec, often 4-5/sec) with frontal maximum. Absences may precede the myoclonic seizures, starring in late childhood or early adolescence. Sodium valproate (Depakote) is the treatment of choice-unfortunately not tolerated in presented case report. This case also shows that JME may extend well into adulthood. Arousing stimuli in a state of drowsiness are crucial in the precipitation of bursts and myoclonus; even generalized tonic-clonic seizures may occur in the wake of myoclonic jerking. Lifestyle is an important factor in view of the need for sufficient hours of sleep. JME is a subform of primary generalized epilepsy even though the genetic findings are not conclusive in this regard.