title: Progressive myoclonic epilepsies: recent genetic advances.
abstract: The progressive myoclonic epilepsies are a rare group of debilitating epileptic encephalopathies characterized by myoclonic seizures, progressive neurological dysfunction and dementia. In the past year advances in gene mapping have isolated gene loci for the majority of progressive myoclonic disorders, paving the way for specific diagnosis, more accurate prognosis and risk calculation, as well as opening the potential for prenatal and pre-symptomatic diagnosis in at risk families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, New Children's Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ellaway
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Christodoulou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001928:Brain Diseases, Metabolic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D004831:Epilepsies, Myoclonic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant