What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes seizures. These neurological seizures are not caused by a temporary underlying medical condition such as a high fever.

Epilepsy can affect people in very different ways. This is because there are many causes and many different kinds of seizures. Some people may have multiple types of seizures or other medical conditions in addition to epilepsy. These factors play a major role in determining both the severity of the person’s condition and the impact it has on his or her life.

The way a seizure looks depends on the type of seizure a person is experiencing. Some seizures can look like staring spells. Other seizures can cause a person to collapse, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.

Epilepsy can be caused by different conditions that affect a person’s brain. Many times the cause is unknown. Some causes include:

Stroke
Brain tumor
Traumatic brain injury or head injury
Central nervous system infection

A person with epilepsy is NOT contagious and CANNOT give epilepsy to another person.

Learn more here:

https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/fast-facts.htm

What is Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (BRE)?

Please give 3 minutes to learn about this fascinating seizure syndrome. Consider seeking a neurological consultation if someone you know fits this profile.

https://youtu.be/02_I4tToeLo

BRE is treatable and it is controllable. Medical professional state that some children can outgrow this syndrome following puberty, or, as conditions are properly monitored.

What Is Juvenile Absence Epilepsy?

Seizures in juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) can be of two main types.

Absence seizures are seen in all cases.

In an absence seizure, the young person will stare and is either unresponsive or has impaired responsiveness.
Their eyes may roll up briefly or the eyelids may flutter.
Some people may have repetitive movements, like mouth chewing (automatisms).
Absence seizures usually last 10 to 45 seconds and end abruptly.
The person can resume normal activity after the seizure and often is not even aware that anything has happened.
Absence seizures typically are seen less than daily.

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are seen in about 8 in 10 people.

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures involve whole body stiffening and jerking.
They usually occur when waking up.
They usually last seconds to minutes.
Their frequency is variable.
People with JAE usually develop normally.
One in 3 people may also have attention, concentration, and memory problems that may improve with treatment of absences.

https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/syndromes/juvenile-absence-epilepsy

Who Gets Juvenile Absence Epilepsy?

Approximately 1 to 2 out of 100 people with epilepsy have JAE.
The seizures in JAE usually begin between the ages of 10 to 16 years, but rarely may start later.
The cause is mostly genetic. A family history is rare, but family members may have similar seizures or other generalized epilepsies.

How Is JAE Diagnosed?

Information about your seizure type(s), health and family history, and a physical and neurological examination are the first steps in diagnosing absence seizures.
An EEG (electroencephalogram) is done to look for possible seizure activity. Hyperventilation and photic stimulation (exposure to rapid flashing lights) are often performed during the EEG. The EEG shows generalized polyspike or spike and wave discharges at 3-4 Hz (cycles per second).
The EEG shows spike and wave discharges at 3 to 6 Hz (cycles per second) that are generalized (the same on both sides of the brain).
CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans of the brain are normal and are not indicated in most cases.
Screening for attention problems is recommended.

How Is JAE Treated?

Juvenile absence epilepsy usually responds to treatment. Medications commonly used in JAE are valproate (Depakote) and lamotrigine (Lamictal).
Ethosuximide (Zarontin) can be used if absence seizures are not controlled, but does not protect against generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
If the absences or generalized tonic-clonic seizures are persistent, combining these medications may be helpful.
Other medications have been used, such as topiramate (Topamax), zonisamide (Zonegran), levetiracetam (Keppra), and benzodiazepines (clobazam). However, these are generally not considered unless valproic acid and lamotrigine have failed or have caused side effects.
A form of the ketogenic diet may also be considered in cases that don't respond well to medicine.