ype 1: Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy
In idiopathic generalized epilepsy, there is often, but not always, a family history of epilepsy. Idiopathic generalized epilepsy tends to appear during childhood or adolescence, although it may not be diagnosed until adulthood. In this type of epilepsy, no nervous system (brain or spinal cord) abnormalities other than the seizures have been identified as of yet. The brain is structurally normal on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
People with idiopathic generalized epilepsy have normal intelligence and the results of the neurological examination and brain scan (MRI) are usually normal. The results of the electroencephalogram (EEG - a test which measures electrical impulses in the brain) may show epileptic discharges affecting the entire brain (so called generalized discharges).
The types of seizures affecting patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy may include:
* Myoclonic seizures (sudden and very short duration jerking of the extremities
* Absence seizures (staring spells)
* Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal seizures)
Idiopathic generalized epilepsy is usually treated with medications. Some forms of this condition that may be outgrown, as is the case with childhood absence epilepsy and a large number of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
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