title: Clinical genetic study in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate clinical features of probands with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and affected members of their families in order to study clinical genetics of JME.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen unrelated families with at least two members with history of seizures were identified; clinical and genealogic data were collected from JME probands and family members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All probands had myoclonic and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), while absences occurred in 25% of them. The average age of seizure onset was 13 years. Totally 22 members from 13 families had history of seizures with average age of seizure onset at 18 years. Ten family members had JME, three had epilepsy with GTCS, two had juvenile absence epilepsy, one had adult onset myoclonic epilepsy and six of the affected individuals had unclassified type of epilepsy. In five families, JME was the solely clinical feature. JME dominated among siblings, while phenotypic heterogeneity was observed in second and third degree relatives. In three multi-generation families, members with adult onset genetic generalized epilepsies (GGE) were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found phenotypic heterogeneity regarding epilepsy type and age of seizure onset. Using pedigree analysis, we found no evidence for preferential maternal or any other distinctive inheritance pattern. Further study is needed to confirm and clarify the results.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Vodnjanska str. 17, MK-1000 Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Electronic address: emilicvetkovska@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Emilija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cvetkovska
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, Arhimedova str, bb, MK-1000 Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Sasho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panov
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Vodnjanska str. 17, MK-1000 Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kuzmanovski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Genetic study; Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy