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Unilateral thalamic lesion mimicking genetic generalized epilepsy Volume 22, numéro 6, December 2020

TEST YOURSELF

(1) What is the role of the thalamus in generalized epileptic networks?

 

(2) What are the typical features of genetic generalized epilepsy?

 

(3) Does genetic generalized epilepsy require imaging for diagnosis?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Answers

(1) The thalamus plays an important role in the synchronization of diffuse bilateral neural networks that generate generalized epileptic discharges and seizures. The mediodorsal nuclei of the thalamus have strong projections to the anterior cingulate cortex, and may serve as the main driver of the initiation and propagation of generalized spike-and-wave discharges.

 

(2) Genetic generalized epilepsy is characterized by generalized seizure types and generalized spike-and-wave discharges on EEG in a patient with normal intellect.

 

(3) Genetic generalized epilepsy is a class of electro-clinical syndromes that do not formally require head imaging for diagnosis. However, clinicians should be aware that structural brain lesions can mimic genetic generalized epilepsy.

 

 

 

 

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