This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Abstract
Background: Familial adult myoclonic epilepsy (FAME) is defined by autosomal dominant inheritance, adult onset of myoclonus of the extremities, infrequent epileptic seizures, nonprogressive course, abnormality of polyspikes and waves on examination by EEG and photosensitivity, giant somatosensory evoked potentials, enhancement of C reflex, and premyoclonus spike detected by means of the jerk-locked averaging EEG method. These findings were also observed in patients with benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy (BAFME) and patients with familial cortical tremor. FAME and BAFME have been described only in Japan. The genes responsible for FAME and BAFME were mapped in the same genetic interval in 8q22.3-q24.1
Objective: To study clinical and genetic characteristics of a European family with FAME.
Methods: A four-generation European kindred presenting with FAME, including 18 members, is described. Clinical analysis was performed on 15 living subjects and electrophysiologic study on 5 patients. Linkage analysis was performed with fluorescent microsatellites encompassing the FAME/BAFME locus (8q23.3-q24.1).
Results: Ten living and three deceased relatives had the clinical characteristics of FAME. Mean age at onset of the 10 living patients was 41 years (range, 30–60 years). Eight of the 13 affected subjects had generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Electrophysiologic studies confirmed the diagnosis of FAME in the five patients studied. The pattern of inheritance was consistent with an autosomal dominant inheritance. The locus responsible for FAME/BAFME was excluded.
Conclusion: Observation of a European family extends the occurrence of familial adult myoclonic epilepsy to non-Japanese patients. Exclusion of linkage of this family to the locus for familial adult myoclonic epilepsy/benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy established the genetic heterogeneity of this disorder.
- Received June 27, 2001.
- Accepted November 30, 2001.
AAN Members
We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.
AAN Non-Member Subscribers
Purchase access
Letters: Rapid online correspondence
- Reply to Letter to the Editor
- Absence of linkage to 8q24 in a European family with familial adult myoclonic epilepsy (FAME)
REQUIREMENTS
You must ensure that your Disclosures have been updated within the previous six months. Please go to our Submission Site to add or update your Disclosure information.
Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.
If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.
Submission specifications:
- Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
- Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
- Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
- Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
- Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.
