Epileptic Disorders
MENUEEG of asymptomatic first-degree relatives of patients with juvenile myoclonic, childhood absence and rolandic epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis Volume 21, issue 1, February 2019
TEST YOURSELF
(1) What is the approximate reported prevalence of EEG abnormalities in first-degree relatives of patients with juvenile myoclonic, childhood absence and Rolandic epilepsies?
A. 0-1%
B. 10-20%
C. 20-50%
(2) Are the reported EEG abnormalities in first-degree relatives of patients with juvenile myoclonic, childhood absence and Rolandic epilepsies true abnormalities?
3) Are EEG changes found in relatives of patients with juvenile myoclonic, childhood absence and Rolandic epilepsies developmental stage specific?
Answers
(1) C.
(2) No, most appear to be what would be considered today as rare variants within the normal spectrum of EEG features. However, upon confirmation that these normal variants are concentrated in families of patients with these disorders, they may well represent endophenotypes. Understanding the genetic basis of these endophenotypes would help understanding the syndromes themselves.
(3) Yes, they appear to occur in the same developmental stage as their corresponding syndrome.