Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Janz' syndrome
Devilat, M.; Chamorro, R.; Erazo, R.; Germain, L.; Mena, F.; Valenzuela, B.
Revista Chilena de Pediatria 60(5): 275-279
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0370-4106 PMID: 2518465 Document Number: 327914
Thirty two patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy are described. The most relevant aspects of the disease are the following: it starts at nearly 12 years of age or before; it is frequently associated with generalized tonic-clonic seizures; myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures occur at time of awaking or shortly after; no pathological findings occur at the central nervous system; a large number of relatives show generalized seizures and the interictal electroencephalogram is usually disturbed by generalized epileptic activity. Valproic acid, preferably alone, is probably the treatment of choice for these patients.