Epilepsy genetics.
Genetics have for a long time been suspected of playing an important role in idiopathic generalized epilepsy. The last decade has seen the discovery of several genes underlying epilepsy transmitted in a Mendelian fashion. Among these are genes causing recessive neurodevelopmental disorders complicated by seizures. In addition, several genes, mainly coding for ion channels, have been identified in rare families exhibiting a wide variety of idiopathic epilepsy phenotypes. The next decade will likely reveal whether these or related genes also act as susceptibility factors for sporadic epilepsy.
Kullmann
Dimitri M
DM
Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK. d.kullmann@ion.ucl.ac.uk
D004827:Epilepsy / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans