JUVENILE MYOCLONIC EPILEPSY

• Juvenile absence epilepsy - the presence of myoclonic seizures distinguishes juvenile myoclonic epilepsy from juvenile absence epilepsy (with myoclonic seizures exclusionary for juvenile absence epilepsy)
• Epilepsy with eyelid myoclonias consider if repetitive, rhythmic, fast >4 Hz jerks of the eyelids, with upward deviation of the eyeballs and with head extension; seizures are very frequent
• Epilepsy with myoclonic absences consider if there are 3 Hz myoclonic jerks of upper limbs with tonic abduction
• Structural brain abnormality consider if myoclonic or generalized tonic-clonic seizures with focal features seen consistently from seizure to seizure
• Progressive myoclonus epilepsies consider if myoclonus is intractable, and there is cognitive decline and slowing of the background EEG