Biology of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
The investigators are collecting genetic information through blood samples as well as clinical and EEG data from over 1000 people with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) across the UK, Europe and North America. This study will draw on both existing and new samples from JME patients. These will be compared to anonymised data from samples for 2000 controls. The goal of this study is to find the genetic cause of JME. Finding the cause will help create better treatments for JME, as well as improve patient outcomes by allowing us to detect it earlier.
• Diagnosis of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy in accordance with Consensus criteria
‣ Age of myoclonus onset 10-25 years
⁃ Seizures comprising predominant or exclusive early morning myoclonus of upper extremities
⁃ EEG interictal generalized spikes and/or polyspike and waves with normal background
• Current age 10-40 years