title: [Current prospects of genetics in epilepsy diagnostics--when and what?].
abstract: Genetic factors have been estimated to affect the development of epilepsy in as many as 40% of the patients. Several genes have been identified underlying rare epileptic syndromes. Most epilepsies are most likely caused by a combined effect of several genes and environmental factors, and the genetic background of these diseases remains to be largely unknown. In practice, DNA diagnostics is possible only in a small proportion of epilepsy patients. In some cases gene testing is, however, an essential tool in diagnosis, e.g. facilitating the planning of pharmacological therapy for the patient's epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: lasten ja nuorten klinikka, lastenneurologian yksikkö ja Kliinisen tutkimuksen keskus, Oulun yliopistollinen sairaala.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Uusimaa
authors.forename: Eija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gaily
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ignatius
authors.forename: Anna-Elina
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lehesjoki
mesh_terms: D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans