Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME)

• Family history
• Age of onset: JME usually begins between ages 12 and 18.
• Male sex
• Common triggers for JME include:
• Lack of sleep
• Extreme tiredness
• Stress
• Alcohol consumption
• Flickering lights, such as strobe lights, video games, or light reflecting off ocean waves or snow
• Menstrual periods for some girls and women

• Myoclonic seizures are the hallmark of JME. They are sudden jerk like movements of extremities usually after getting up from sleep or while going to sleep. They occur in cluster with many jerks happening continuously and may vary from mild to severe in intensity. They may manifest as sudden dropping of objects from hands or frank jerks.
• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures are full-blown convulsions (muscle contraction and relaxation repeatedly) with abnormal posturing and jerking of body. In JME, it is typically seen following clusters of myoclonic jerks. Frequency may vary in different individuals.
• Absence seizures may also be seen in JME with the above-mentioned seizures. In absence seizures, the patient suddenly becomes blank and discontinues all activities. After a brief interval, they begin to resume their activity without any awareness about the episode.
• Photosensitivity- the attacks may get precipitated by bright flickering lights as in video games.

Neurologist

• Clinical history
• EEG shows typical pattern of 3-6 Hz generalized spike and wave activity with photosensitivity
• MRI and genetic testing are usually normal. MRI may be done to rule out structural causes

• Antiseizure medication
• Avoid precipitating factors such as sleep deprivation, stress, poor drug compliance, stimulant drugs, and alcohol