Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Challenges on its 60th anniversary.
OBJECTIVE
Since its initial 1957 description, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) has been recognized as a common epileptic syndrome worldwide.


METHODS
We reviewed a series of articles on JME to clarify challenges in clinical and pathophysiological findings, treatment and outcome.


RESULTS
Typical JME characteristics include: 1) the age at seizure onset between 10 and 25 years; 2) the triad of myoclonia, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and absences, of which only myoclonia is a mandatory criterion; 3) cognitive dysfunction that may have impact on interpersonal relationships and social outcome; 4) possibility of seizure control in up to 80% of individuals, in particular with the use of sodium valproate; 5) a tendency for lifelong seizures with an early morning preponderance; 6) after decades from the clinical onset, a possibility to be off medications for a third of the patients, and 7) several prognostic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
After 60 years, several challenges remain in this complex epileptic syndrome.
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: yacubian@terra.com.br.
Elza Márcia
EM
Yacubian
D017668:Age of Onset; D000375:Aging; D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid
Clinical expression; Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; Pathophysiology; Prognosis; Reflex traits; Treatment