juvenile myoclonic epilepsy 9

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) Description

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is an epilepsy syndrome characterized by myoclonic jerks (quick jerks of the arms or legs), which are sudden, brief contractions of muscles in the arms or legs. These jerks can be severe enough to make you drop things.

In addition to myoclonic jerks, people with JME may also experience generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which involve convulsions that affect both sides of the body.

JME typically begins during childhood or adolescence, usually between the ages of 12 and 18. The condition is often diagnosed based on a combination of symptoms, including seizure description, age when seizures started, and seizure triggers.

References:

• [9] Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is an epilepsy syndrome characterized by myoclonic jerks (quick jerks of the arms or legs), generalized tonic-clonic seizures ...
• [3] Typically it first presents between the ages of 12 and 18 with myoclonic seizures (brief, involuntary, single or multiple episodes of muscle contractions caused by abnormal excessive or ...

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) Signs and Symptoms

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a type of epilepsy that affects children and young people. The condition is characterized by several signs and symptoms, which can vary from person to person.

• Myoclonic Seizures: These are the most common type of seizure in JME, and are often referred to as "muscle jerks" or "twitches". They typically involve sudden, brief contractions of the muscles in the arms or shoulders.
• Absence Seizures: Some people with JME may also experience absence seizures, which cause a brief loss of consciousness. These seizures can appear as a staring spell, and are often accompanied by a blank expression.
• Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: In some cases, JME can also be associated with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which involve convulsions or muscle contractions that affect the entire body.

Other Possible Symptoms

In addition to these seizure types, people with JME may also experience other symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue and Lack of Sleep: These can trigger myoclonic jerks and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in some individuals.
• Stress and Emotional Upset: Mental and emotional stress can also be a trigger for seizures in people with JME.

Important Notes

It's essential to note that JME is a lifelong condition, but treatment can effectively control seizures in most cases. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with JME, it's crucial to work closely with a healthcare professional to develop an effective treatment plan and manage symptoms.

References:

• [9] - Lack of sleep and fatigue, primarily after drinking too much alcohol, are the most powerful causes of myoclonic jerks and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in JME.
• [10] - Seizure symptoms include myoclonic jerking of the shoulders, arms and sometimes legs. Absence seizures may also be present.
• [13] - Myoclonic seizures are the most common type in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and are characterized by quick, jerking movements of the arms and legs (myoclonic jerks).
• [14] - JME is a condition characterized by a tendency to have seizures.

Diagnostic Tests for Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) can be diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and diagnostic tests. While other tests such as brain scans or blood tests are not usually necessary, the following tests can help confirm the diagnosis:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG): An EEG is the most important test in making a diagnosis of JME. It records electrical activity in the brain and can show specific patterns associated with JME, such as generalized polyspike and wave discharges.
• Sleep-deprived EEG: This type of EEG is often used to diagnose JME, especially when the patient has not had any seizures recently.

Key Points:

• An EEG is essential for diagnosing JME [1].
• Sleep-deprived EEG with activation procedures is a useful way to confirm the clinical diagnosis of JME [7].

Note: The above information is based on the provided context and search results.

Based on the context provided, here's an informative response to your query:

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) is a type of epilepsy that typically begins in adolescence and is characterized by muscle jerks (myoclonus), seizures, and other symptoms. When it comes to treating JME with medications, the goal is to control or reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

Medications commonly used:

• Valproate (VPA) is often considered a first-line treatment for JME due to its effectiveness in controlling myoclonic seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and absence seizures [1]. It's usually started at a low dose and gradually increased as needed.
• Levetiracetam (Keppra) may be used as an alternative or adjunct therapy, particularly if VPA is not tolerated or effective enough [2].
• Other antiepileptic drugs like lamotrigine, topiramate, and phenytoin might also be considered in some cases, but their efficacy and safety profiles are less well-established for JME.

Important considerations:

• Medication adherence is crucial to manage JME effectively. Patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to find the right balance of medication and lifestyle adjustments.
• Regular monitoring of liver function tests (LFTs) is essential when using VPA, as it can cause liver damage in some individuals [3].
• Women with JME who are planning to become pregnant or are already pregnant should discuss their treatment options with their healthcare provider, as certain medications may not be suitable during pregnancy.

References:

[1] - The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recommends valproate as a first-line treatment for JME due to its efficacy in controlling seizures. [2] - Levetiracetam has been shown to be effective in reducing seizure frequency and severity in patients with JME, particularly when used in combination with other medications. [3] - Regular monitoring of LFTs is essential when using VPA to prevent liver damage.

Please note that this response is based on the context provided and may not reflect the most up-to-date information. If you have any specific questions or concerns regarding your condition, it's always best to consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

Differential Diagnosis of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) has several differential diagnoses, which are conditions that can mimic or be confused with JME. Some of these differential diagnoses include:

• Childhood or juvenile absence epilepsy: This is a type of epilepsy characterized by brief, sudden lapses in consciousness, often accompanied by a loss of muscle tone.
• Eyelid myoclonia with absences: This is a rare form of epilepsy that affects the eyelids and can cause brief episodes of absence seizures.
• Progressive myoclonic epilepsies: These are a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by progressive muscle stiffness, seizures, and other neurological symptoms.

These differential diagnoses should be considered when diagnosing JME, as they can present with similar symptoms. However, it's worth noting that the presence of generalized spike- or polyspike-wave on EEG is a key diagnostic feature of JME [11].

References:

• [9] Aug 1, 2016 — Myoclonic seizures may be easily mistaken for a possible tic disorder if the proper patient monitoring is not conducted during diagnosis.
• [10] Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), otherwise known as Janz syndrome and impulsive petit mal, is an idiopathic, hereditary, and generalized form of epilepsy. It was first described by Herpin in 1867, later on by Janz and Christian in 1957 as 'impulsive petit mal,' and by Lund in 1975 as JME. ... Differential diagnosis includes childhood or ...
• [11] OVERVIEW. This syndrome a common idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome, accounting for ~10% of all epilepsies. It is characterized by myoclonic with or without generalized tonic-clonic seizures in an otherwise normal individual. The EEG must show generalized spike- or polyspike-wave for the diagnosis of this syndrome.
• [13] Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a recognizable, frequent epileptic syndrome. The most typical ictal phenomenon is bilateral myoclonia without loss of consciousness (M), with most patients also presenting with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs) and some with absence seizures (ASs). ... There are only few differential diagnoses: the ...