Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy
Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) refers to several different types of epilepsy and represents about 30% of all epilepsies. It is one of the most common forms of epilepsy and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. They tend to run in families and have a strong genetic basis. To understand the genetic causes of IGE we are using genetic linkage analysis and association analyses, which are the latest available techniques.
The different types of seizures commonly associated with these forms of epilepsy include:
Myoclonic: Limb or body jerks/jolts that usually occur upon awakening and begin in adolescence;
Absence (Petit Mal): Brief staring spells (often identified as ‘day dreaming’) beginning at around 3 years old or in adolescence; and
Tonic Clonic (Grand Mal): Loss of consciousness with muscle contractions and stiffening that may include tongue biting, incontinence, postseizure confusion and fatigue, and that occur either upon awakening or at any time during the day (but not in sleep) and begin in adolescence.