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  • Title: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
    Author: Shian WJ, Chi CS.
    Journal: Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei); 1994 Jun; 53(6):375-8. PubMed ID: 8087714.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Recognition of the significance of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) in the English-language neurological literature is relatively new. There are many factors responsible for delay in diagnosis of JME, including lack of familiarity with the syndrome, failure to elicit a history of myoclonic jerking and absence or generalized tonic-clonic seizures predating myoclonic jerks in some patients. METHODS: The medical and electroencephalographic (EEG) records of seven Chinese children with JME, four males and three females, were reviewed. RESULTS: The age of onset ranged from 10 to 14 years with mean 11.8 +/- 1.6 years. The precipitating factors were sleep deprivation (5/7), photostimulation (3/7), hyperventilation (2/7) and menstruation (1/3). Childhood and juvenile absence epilepsies predated JME in three and one patients, respectively. All patients had concomitant grand mal on awakening. Generalized 3-4 Hz polyspikes-wave complexes occurred in all patients, and two patients had additional 3-4 Hz spike-wave complexes. These activities were provoked with photic stimulation (3/7) and hyperventilation (2/7). All patients were treated with valproate for more than four years, and relapse occurred six months to one year after discontinuation of valproate. CONCLUSIONS: JME is a benign generalized epilepsy with a strong genetic basis. Valproate is the drug of choice up to now, but long-term (life-long) medication may be needed.
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