Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is a genetically transferred generalized epilepsy that affects approximately 7% of adolescents and adults with epilepsy. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy always has a myoclonic component alone or in combination with generalized tonic-clonic seizure or absence seizure. The myoclonic component is most prominent on waking or in a drowsy state. The electroencephalogram may be normal between seizures. Life-long treatment with valproate is effective in more than 80% of patients. The author describes the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in a typical patient.