title: [Genetic aspects of symptomatic epilepsy based on waking and sleep EEG recordings in siblings].
abstract: Waking and sleep EEG-recordings were carried out in siblings of patients with various idiopathic and symptomatic seizure types. Rates of epileptic activity (e.a.) were found in the symptomatic ones varying between 24.1% (Complex partial seizures) and 46.7% (Symptomatic absences). 1/4 to 1/2 of the e.a. was recorded exclusively in sleep, so that sleep recordings are also necessary for such investigations. 2.5-4/sec. spike wave-complexes were predominantly seen; benign foci and photosensitivity were recorded in a smaller number of siblings. More e.a. was observed in idiopathic (72%) than in symptomatic absences (46.7%). On the other hand the same rates (42:41%) as well as almost the same EEG-patterns were found in idiopathic and symptomatic generalized tonic-clonic seizures. When counting the single epileptic discharges more e.a. was seen in siblings of patients with the idiopathic type than the symptomatic one (one discharge every 53 sec.:229.3 sec.). Most e.a. was found in the age group 6-14 years in siblings of all seizure types; therefore, this age dependent penetrance does not depend on the seizure type, but on the recorded spike wave-complexes, benign foci and photosensitivity which occur most frequently in this age range. A multi-factorial mode of inheritance is assumed.
authors.affiliation: Ehemahges Epilepsie-Zentrum Bethel, Bielefeld.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Degen
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Degen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017286:Polysomnography; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology