[Genetic aspects of epilepsy]

Accumulating evidence suggests a significant proportion of the forms of epilepsy to be genetically determined. Several epilepsy syndromes have been mapped on the human genome, though their molecular basis remains unknown. Technical advances in molecular biology now provide a basis for improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in genetically determined types of epilepsy Genetic mapping will improve the accuracy of genetic counselling. Improved insight into the molecular biology may help to elucidate the underlying epileptogenic mechanisms and pave the way for new developments in pharmacological control of epileptic seizures. Further advances in research on genetics and epilepsy will require national and international cooperation between epileptologists and geneticists in search of informative families for linkage analysis.