Epilepsy - Introduction

Simply Tonic or Clonic Seizures. Seizures can also be simply tonic or clonic. In tonic seizures, the muscles contract and consciousness is altered for about 10 seconds, but the seizures do not progress to the clonic or jerking phase. Clonic seizures, which are very rare, occur primarily in young children, who experience spasms of the muscles but not tonic rigidity.

Myoclonic. Myoclonic seizures are a series of brief jerky contractions of specific muscle groups, such as the face or trunk.

Epilepsy Syndromes

Epilepsy is also grouped according to a set of common characteristics, including:

Patient age.
Type of seizure or seizures.
Whether a cause is known or not (idiopathic).

A few syndromes and inherited epilepsies are listed as follows. They do not represent all epilepsies.

West Syndrome (Infantile Spasms)

West syndrome, also called infantile spasms, is a disorder that involves spasms and developmental delay in children within the first year, usually in infants between four and eight months.

Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions

Benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC) are a rare, inherited form of generalized seizures that occur in infancy.

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (Impulsive Petit Mal)

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, also called impulsive petit mal epilepsy, is characterized by generalized seizures, usually tonic-clonic marked by jerky movements (called myoclonic jerks), and sometimes absence seizures. This accounts for 7% of epilepsies, and usually occurs in individuals age 8 to 20.

Adult Myoclonic Epilepsy

Some research now suggests that adult myoclonic epilepsy may be a previously undescribed and distinct syndrome. It involves the development of generalized epilepsy of unknown causes in middle-aged adults.

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy in young children that causes multiple seizures and some developmental retardation. It usually involves absence, tonic, and partial seizures.

Myoclonic-Astatic Epilepsy

Myoclonic-astatic epilepsy (MAE) is a combination of myoclonic seizures and astasia (a decrease or loss of muscular coordination), often resulting in the inability to sit or stand without aid.

Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy

Progressive myoclonic epilepsy is an inherited disorder occurring in children between the ages of six and 15. It usually involves tonic-clonic seizures and marked sensitivity to light flashes. Although the disease was previously considered to be progressive throughout life, current therapies have significantly improved its outlook.

Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy

Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy is a rare, inherited syndrome that usually occurs during childhood, typically around age 11. However, onset varies widely within families. Seizures can be dystonic (twisting contractions) or tonic (muscle contractions), or involve thrashing. They are brief, frequent, and occur in clusters during the night. The seizures often subside with age.

Landau-Kleffner Syndrome

Landau-Kleffner syndrome is an epileptic condition that results in the inability to communicate either with speech or by writing (aphasia).