JME is usually well controlled with medication. Most patients with JME do not outgrow their seizures and will need to take medication for the rest of their lives. Individuals are encouraged to get enough sleep and avoid alcohol to reduce the likelihood of seizures. What happens in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is an epilepsy syndrome characterized by myoclonic jerks (quick jerks of the arms or legs), generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs), and sometimes, absence seizures. The seizures of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy often occur when people first awaken in the morning.
Is juvenile myoclonic epilepsy rare?
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy affects an estimated 1 in 1,000 people worldwide. Approximately 5 percent of people with epilepsy have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Is JME life long?
Seizures in most people with JME tend to improve after the fourth decade of life. Seizures are generally well controlled with medications in up to 90% of people. People who have multiple seizure types may require more medications to control them.
How common is JME?
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a common epilepsy syndrome, which occurs in 7% of all people with epilepsy. If correctly diagnosed, up to 90% of people with JME become seizure-free on a regimen of medication, usually Depakote (valproate). What triggers myoclonic seizures?
Myoclonic seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which triggers the myoclonic muscle movements. Often, they are exacerbated by tiredness, alcohol, fevers, infections, photic (light) stimulation, or stress.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What types of seizures occur with JME?
Most people who have JME will have 3 types of seizures. These are called myoclonic, tonic-clonic and absence seizures. All people with JME will have myoclonic seizures.
Do kids outgrow myoclonic seizures?
Children with mild forms of myoclonic epilepsy often respond well to treatment and may even outgrow their epilepsy in adulthood.
What does a myoclonic seizure feel like?
A myoclonic seizure feels like an electric shock. It causes twitching or jerking, which typically lasts less than 1 second. You stay conscious during this seizure, which may reoccur several times during a short amount of time.
Is juvenile myoclonic epilepsy symptomatic?
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy is one of many different types of epilepsy. Its most common symptom is repeated seizures, known as myoclonic seizures. These cause quick jerking movements. It’s also sometimes called Janz syndrome or Epilepsy of Janz.
Can you drive with myoclonic seizures?
Are you born with epilepsy or does it develop?
Epilepsy and seizures can develop in any person at any age. Seizures and epilepsy are more common in young children and older people. About 1 in 100 people in the U.S. has had a single unprovoked seizure or has been diagnosed with epilepsy. 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime.
Is myoclonic epilepsy fatal?
Progressive. Progressive myoclonus epilepsy is a disease associated with myoclonus, epileptic seizures, and other problems with walking or speaking. These symptoms often worsen over time and can be fatal.
What is the life expectancy of someone with epilepsy?
Reduction in life expectancy can be up to 2 years for people with a diagnosis of idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy, and the reduction can be up to 10 years in people with symptomatic epilepsy. Reductions in life expectancy are highest at the time of diagnosis and diminish with time.
Does JME cause memory loss?
JME patients may exhibit impaired cognitive function, in terms of memory and execution, despite having normal intelligence and mood.
How do you prevent myoclonic seizures?
Anticonvulsants. Drugs used to control epileptic seizures have proved helpful in reducing myoclonus symptoms. The most common anticonvulsants used for myoclonus are levetiracetam (Keppra, Elepsia XR, Spritam), valproic acid, zonisamide (Zonegran) and primidone (Mysoline).
What kind of epilepsy did Cameron Boyce have?
Boyce, who starred in the Descendants franchise, was just 20 when he died. Boyce’s death brought the issue of SUDEP in epilepsy to the attention of the world. A year after his death, take a moment to learn more about SUDEP.
Is JME focal epilepsy?
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) may coexist with focal epilepsy. However, the coexistence of these two types of epilepsy has been rarely reported (Diehl et al., 1998, Koutroumanidis et al., 1999, Usui et al., 2005, Jeha et al., 2006).
Are myoclonic seizures serious?
Progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) is a group of disorders characterized by myoclonic seizures and other neurologic symptoms such as trouble walking or speaking. These rare disorders often get worse over time and sometimes are fatal.
How long does a myoclonic seizure last?
A myoclonic seizure causes sudden muscle jerking without impaired consciousness. It typically involves muscles on both sides of the body. Generally, these seizures last for 1 or 2 seconds. They often happen multiple times within a day or several days.
Is a myoclonic seizure epilepsy?
This type of seizure causes quick jerking movements. Myoclonic seizures often happen in everyday life. This includes hiccups and a sudden jerk while falling asleep. The condition is not epilepsy unless there are more than two seizures happening repeatedly over time.
Does myoclonus affect speech?
Discussion: In MDS, myoclonus has only infrequently been reported to affect speech. This case further expands the spectrum of conditions causing the rare clinical phenomenon of speech-activated myoclonus.
How do you treat myoclonus naturally?
Exercise is the solution. Exercise can contribute to further muscle twitching, but it also gives your brain an excuse for that twitching so that it doesn’t assume it’s disease related. It is possible to trick the brain, and by exercising often the muscle twitches you experience will not be as worrisome.
Are myoclonic jerks harmful?
These types of myoclonus are rarely harmful. However, some forms of myoclonus can cause recurring, shock-like spasms that can interfere with a person’s ability to eat, talk, and walk.
Are myoclonic seizures curable?
In most cases, these seizures can be well controlled with medication but it must be continued throughout life. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: This is an uncommon syndrome that usually includes other types of seizures as well.
What foods should you avoid if you have epilepsy?
white bread; non-wholegrain cereals; biscuits and cakes; honey; high-sugar drinks and foods; fruit juices; chips; mashed potatoes; parsnips; dates and watermelon. In general, processed or overcooked foods and over-ripe fruits.
Can too much screen time cause seizures?
Too much texting and exposure to computer screens – electronic stress – can set off an epileptic attack. Factors like emotional stress, skipping meals, sleep deprivation, fatigue, smoking, alcohol consumption, etc. can also trigger seizures in persons with epilepsy.
At what age does epilepsy usually start?
They can cause a wide range of symptoms. Epilepsy can start at any age, but usually starts either in childhood or in people over 60.
Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.