Juvenile absence epilepsy

Juvenile abscence epilepsy (JAE) is an age-related form of epilepsy. The seizures start after the age of 10, ie at the beginning of puberty.

The JAE is genetic and can be inherited. Boys and girls are equally affected. The seizures usually occur after waking up in salvos. In 80% of those affected, tinctonic clonic seizures, so-called grand mal seizures, can follow.

The seizures can be provoked by excitement, lack of sleep and alcohol consumption. The neurologically unremarkable adolescents have spike or wave patterns with normal background activity between and during seizures.

JAE is an epilepsy that persists throughout life.