The genetics of rolandic epilepsy

Focal spikes and sharp waves with predominantly centrotemporal localization are the electroencephalograhic hallmark of Rolandic epilepsy (or BECTS). This EEG trait, but not BECTS itself, has been reported to follow an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with incomplete penetrance and age dependency. CTS therefore may represent a neurobiological marker for the increased risk of developing BECTS. Several linkage studies exploring candidate loci have rendered negative results. The first positive evidence for linkage in families with centrotemporal spikes was found on chromosome 15q14.