title: A family with hereditary spastic paraparesis and epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe a family with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) in which 4 of 6 affected members also have epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  All family members were examined by 2 neurologists. Four affected and 3 unaffected family members had EEG recordings. Four affected members were investigated for other causes of spastic paraparesis and epilepsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epileptic symptoms varied among family members: 1 had complex partial seizures, another had focal myoclonic epilepsy, and 2 had simple partial seizures secondarily generalized. All 4 had clinical or EEG evidence to support a focal origin for the epilepsy, and 2 had photoparoxysal responses on EEG. Symptoms were more severe and occurred earlier in the younger generation, suggesting genetic anticipation in this family. The onset of epilepsy developed simultaneously with, or < or = 18 years before, onset of gait disturbance. Three unaffected family members had normal EEGs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association of HSP and epilepsy should no longer be assumed to be fortuitous.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Callaghan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D015419:Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*