Your browser does not support javascript:   Search for gard here,  Search for news-and-events here.

Recursos en español
ORDR Home Help FAQ Contact Us

Diseases

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

Print friendly version

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Other Names for this Disease
  • EJM
  • Janz syndrome
  • JME
  • Myoclonic epilepsy, juvenile, 1
  • Petit mal, impulsive
More Names
See Disclaimer regarding information on this site. Some links on this page may take you to organizations outside of the National Institutes of Health.

Overview


Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is an epilepsy syndrome characterized by myoclonic jerks (quick jerks of the arms or legs), generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs), and sometimes, absence seizures.[1] The seizures of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy often occur when people first awaken in the morning, especially if they are sleep-deprived. Drinking alcohol and psychological stress may also make these seizures more likely.[1][2] Onset typically occurs around adolesence in otherwise healthy children.[1][2][3] The exact cause of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy remains unknown.[1] Although patients usually require lifelong treatment with anticonvulsants, their overall prognosis is generally good.[1][3]



References

  1. Cavazos JE, Lum F. Epilepsy, Juvenile Myoclonic. emedicine. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1185061-overview. Accessed January 19, 2009.
  2. Adamolekun B. Seizure Disorders. The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library . http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch085/ch085a.html. Accessed January 19, 2009.
  3. Epilepsy Syndromes. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/syndromes/index.cfm. Accessed January 19, 2009.
Your Questions Answered
by the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

1 question(s) from the public on Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy have been answered. See questions and answers. You can also submit a new question.
On this page

General Information

  • Epilepsy.com provides information about juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Click in Epilepsy.com to access this information.
  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Click on the link to go to GHR and review the information.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition. Click on the link to view the information.
  • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
  • The The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.