Abstract: Genetic factors play a role in the etiology of many epilepsies. In some cases, this role is all-important; in other cases, genetic factors are only modifying the phenotype. The genetic contribution to epilepsy may be in the form of a single factor with large effect, such as mutations in the gene SCN1A that cause Dravet syndrome. In many of the milder forms of epilepsy, the genetic contribution is made up of many factors that each contributes little to the disease risk. This is called multifactorial inheritance. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is thought to be inherited in a multifactorial mode. So, while genetic factors are largely to blame for the condition, we encounter many sporadic cases, in addition to families with multiple affected members with JME and families with both JME and other forms of epilepsy.
Publication Year: 2013
Publication Date: 2013-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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